Dear Sam, I dont know if you are a boy or a girl which doesn't at all matter to me but could u please help me find ideas on how i could make more friends. My parents have just started home schooling as i HATED my old school as I was getting bullied a lot but now that I'm home schooled I only have one thing where i actually communicate with people and there is only one boy there who is nice and my age. Also what could i do bc my friend from my old school is ignoring my messages and it makes me upset and makes me feel like im not liked, nobody wants to be my friend ect.
Sam
Hi there,
Being homeschooled is a big change and it can take some time to adapt. It can take a while to start making new friends, but there are things you can do to help
Lots of homeschooled young people can go to activities with other young people in the same situation. It can help to talk to your parents about what might be available, and whether there are other groups or activities you might like to join. Doing something you enjoy can be a great way to meet other people and start to build friendships.
When you do get to meet new people like the boy in the thing you go do, there are things you can do to help feel more connected. It’s okay to share your interests and it can help to ask him about what he likes. If you’re not sure what to say, we’ve got lots of tips to help.
Losing touch with friends in your old school is difficult and there can be lots of reasons they haven’t replied. If someone isn’t replying, it can help to give them a bit of time, and remember that what they do isn’t your fault.
Bullying can have a big effect on you, even when it’s stopped. When you’ve had to leave school because of what other people have done, it can have a massive impact on your self-esteem. Building yourself up can take time, but it is possible. Thinking and talking about ways to build your self-esteem can help you feel more confident and make it easier to talk to people when you do get the chance.
Childline is here to support you with anything that might be happening, including feeling lonely. Whether your parents support you to see other people or not, you can always share what’s happening with a Childline counsellor. Talking to Childline can help you to cope, get support, and think about the future. Remember, you never have to cope alone.
Take care,
Sam
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