Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class William Phillips | Sailors, civilians and their families from Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB)...... read more read more
The old adage parents, teachers and community members shared with us as a child “You are who your friends are,” is now backed by scientific data and supported on TedTalks, podcasts and literature.
The average military child will attend between six to nine different schools within a parent’s military career, making it rather difficult to build a network of friends. This network - also called social capital - has positive social, psychological and academic effects as it promotes support, confidence and assurance in decision making.
The average person takes between nine months to a year to acclimate to a new environment. As military members move - about every three years - their family members often lose their support networks.
It requires a lot of effort to continuously build relationships, but the work is worth it! People with higher levels of social capital tend to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Adolescents with higher social capital have better academic success and are less likely to have behavioral issues. Children with strong relationships are also more likely to be confident, have higher levels of self-efficacy, and a better grade point average.
How can you help build your child’s social capital?
1. Start with family capital at home. Build opportunities for deeper discussions during dinner time. For example, as opposed to, “How was your day,” ask, “Who did you sit next to? Did you help someone today?”
2. Get involved. This is a must, and you have to make time in the year to follow through. Volunteer at your child’s school, or have a lunch date with your child once or twice a year. This gives you an opportunity to meet your child’s friends and connect with teachers and staff. You can also create opportunities for your child to be active in civic participation by volunteering at a local animal shelter or church. Reach out to your local base School Liaison or Volunteer Coordinator for opportunities to get involved.
3. Change your frame of mind. Connecting with people requires energy and time. Time is a precious commodity as a parent, so look at it like an investment in building relationships and connections. Ask how you can help – the currency of real networking is not greed, but generosity.
4. Don’t keep score. We need intimate, supportive relationships that spur collaboration while deeply satisfying our human need for connection, belonging and meaning. So, if someone cancels dinner with you at the last minute, don’t take it personally. We all are busy and we mean well; this "flexible" frame of mind will keep your network larger than ever.
For more information on connecting to the local school community, contact the School Liaison Officer in your area! At NSA Bethesda, you can reach the SLO office at 301-295-7849.
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This article was contributed to The Journal at NSA Bethesda by Chanel Sharp.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2018 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 271741 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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