Building a Sense of Connection

Even if you do not do a journal with your child, take photos of your child with people they like.  For every person on the planet, being around people we enjoy is healthy for us.  Connections are good for our brains.  Social interactions help us grow.

Document these beautiful moments in your child’s development to help them see themselves as a part of a family, community, group.  It definitely helped Michael during the pandemic.

Happy memories help us through the dry spells.

There may be dry spells, times in your child’s life when they don’t spend as much time with buddies.  The beginning of high school was tough for Michael. Many friends who had been reliable and close when he was younger needed to focus on themselves.  They are all wonderful kids with good hearts, but growing up is tough. Michael’s interests remained much younger than his friends and the gap widened over time and that is challenging for young teenagers.

During times when playdates were scarce, these journal pictures reinforced Michael’s self-image of a kid who loves to be with other people, loves to laugh and loves to give hugs and high fives.

Photos don’t just need to be school friends.  Any kids (or adults) who hang out with your child count!  Cousins, siblings, and neighbors could all potentially provide positive interactions.

Snap a happy picture and that photo will help build your child’s image of themselves as a person who likes being around other people.