Purposeful Playdates to Parties - Wise Friends #2

"The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." ― C.S. Lewis

My last post ("Don't Hang out with the Kool-aid Drinkers "  was about how it is easier to encourage your child to hang out with wise friends than it is for your child to make wise choices while surrounded by negative peers.
So I thought it would be helpful now, to share three ways to help your child choose wise friends.

My #3 way for helping your kids choose wise friends is - Purposefully Plan Playdates and Parties!

You are your child's agent. You plan their calendar and schedule - who they will and will not see for appointments. Be purposeful about planning playdates, sleepovers, family dinners, etc. with the type of children that you want your child to be influenced by.

Start now! The older your kid gets, the less and less influence you will have in this area. Do what you can at each stage in your childs life to encourage the right friendships. For example:

-When your child is young this may mean building bonds with families who have the same belief system you do,
-Then you start scheduling playdates,
- Then you go to events where you know the kids you like will be
- Then you invite kids from church over for campouts or sleepovers
- Then you host parties at your home
- Then you take hand picked groups of kids on outings, etc. etc.

You get the idea. Your kids will inevitably make friends with some kids you don't like. But the idea here is to say yes less to them hanging out with these friends, and pack their calendar with events where the kids you like will be.

Use your expert Party Planning skills to help your child pick some great friends! Don't waste any time! Invite a great family over for dinner this weekend! Have fun!