Social Confidence

Last Sunday at our family gathering, everyone started singing happy birthday to my 8-year-old. She immediately looked down, blushed, and tried to hide behind me. Instead of immediately rescuing her from the attention, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I gently encouraged her to stay in front and accept the attention. After the song, she smiled shyly. The look of discomfort mixed with growing pride on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice being the center of attention in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Sunday at a family gathering, my 8-year-old was meeting cousins she’d never seen before. She looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to make the introductions. Instead of immediately stepping in, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I whispered, “You can introduce yourself. Just say your name and ask theirs.” The look of nervousness mixed with determination on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice social introductions in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Thursday, at the grocery store, my 7-year-old noticed the librarian at the checkout counter looked tired. “Should I ask if she’s okay?” my daughter whispered. Instead of automatically stepping in, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I nodded encouragingly and watched as she approached the cashier. “Hi, are you having a good day?” she asked with a smile. The look of surprise and then delight on the cashier’s face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice initiating conversation with unfamiliar adults in a low-stakes environment. ...