FROM LUXE TO LESS: KETTLES

EXPERT ADVICE FOR NAVIGATING YOUR YOUNG CHILD’S FRIENDSHIP CONCERNS

LUXE: We love the design of this Alessi Plissé, designed by Michele De Lucchi. It was inspired by fashion designs for pleated skirts and dresses. The Alessi Plissé, $229.90, thedesigngiftshop.com

MID: OK, it’s not much cheaper than the luxe example, but we couldn’t resist this retro wonder either.

Smeg Kettle, $219, harveynorman.com.au

LESS: Watching water boil has never been so much fun! A modern glass body and blue-light illumination make a statement in this 1.7litre-capacity kettle. Kogan Cordless Glass Kettle, $79.99, kogan.com

When your child goes off to primary school, making friends becomes integral to their growth and development. But these friendships can be tricky to navigate, particularly if they wind up around peers who make them feel uncomfortable.

Parenting expert Dr Rosina Mcalpine (winwinparenting. com) notes that while most early school year friendships provide positive experiences, such as “learning to share, developing empathy and collaboration skills”, unhelpful peer relationships can have a “significant negative impact”.

“Parents need to be aware of their child’s friendships to ensure they are positive,” says Dr Mcalpine.

ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION

It’s crucial that parents consistently keep the lines of communication open with their child. “Make opportunities to talk, whether it’s on the way home from school, at dinner or before bed. Do this by asking questions about their day, friendships and school,” suggests Dr Mcalpine.

Parents can also help guide their child towards positive friendships by talking about what makes someone “a good friend”.

“Explaining these qualities can be helpful for children to understand how to select their friends, and also how to behave themselves,” says Dr Mcalpine.

“You should also regularly check to see if they’re uncomfortable with anything their friends are doing or asking them to do.”

SIGNS OF AN ISSUE

Because parents aren’t privy to their child’s day-to-day friendship interactions, it can be difficult to know there’s an issue – particularly if your child is either too young or even too embarrassed to raise it.

Therefore, Dr Mcalpine says parents need to be actively on the lookout for sudden negative behavioural changes as a clue to underlying issues.

“Watch for your child becoming uncharacteristically unkind or mean to siblings, or showing increasing signs of aggression,” says Dr Mcalpine.

“Your child also might become withdrawn, down, anxious or show increasing signs of depression. Or, they may act out at home by speaking rudely or disrespectfully.”

ADDRESSING BULLYING

“Researchers estimate that around 64 per cent of bullied children do not report it, so parents need to read the signs,” explains Dr Mcalpine.

“Look for a marked change in personality, withdrawing and not wanting to socialise, not wanting to go to school, loss of motivation, increased sickness, emotional outbursts, poor sleep and nightmares.”

Outside of contacting the school for help, Dr Mcalpine suggests parents “encourage their child to talk about what is happening with you or another trusted adult”.