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Top Terms for Fantastic Friendship! |
When you think of a friend, what are some of the things you think of? A person you can trust? A person you get along with really well? Someone who has the same hobbies or sense of humor as you do?
A friend is any person who fits these descriptions, as well as many others. It’s important to have friends because it’s important to have a “support system” of people you can depend on. When we think of “friends” we often think of people we aren’t related to, like a kid you know from school or from the house next door. But friends can definitely also include your relatives like siblings, cousins, or even parents! – The neat thing about friends is that they come in lots of shapes and sizes, and there’s no limit on how many you can have!
Some people have a really easy time making friends, while others take longer getting to know people. As you grow up, you might find that you like having lots and lots of different friends, or that you prefer having just one or two friends that you’re really, really close to!
Also see: What is love?
Most kids who bully want to feel important. They feel powerful when they make someone else feel bad, scared, hurt, embarrassed, lonely, or sad. Some bullies live in families where there is a lot of anger and shouting. They may live in neighborhoods or go to schools where they see people picking on or teasing others. They learn that sometimes people get their way when they act mean or push others around. Many bullies have been bullied themselves.
Bullies don’t always have a reason for picking on someone. Sometimes they pick on kids who are different from them in some way. Sometimes they pick on kids who get upset easily. But often they bully someone for no reason at all except that it makes them feel powerful.
Remember -- you are not the one with the problem. The bully is the one with the problem. If you or someone you know is being bullied, talk to a trusted adult. Bullying is not okay. Kids who are being picked on need help so that they can feel safe. Kids who are bullies need help too, so that they can learn how to interact with others in ways that don’t make others feel uncomfortable or unsafe!
Also see: What can I do if someone bullies me or a friend?, How can I avoid being bullied?
Kindness is an important quality to have. When someone is kind, it means he or she is considerate and nice to others. Some good examples of kindness are saying please and thank you, sharing, and doing anything that helps others. When you treat other people with kindness, both people feel good!
It’s important to try and always be kind. You don’t need to have a reason for being kind—it’s something you can do simply because it’s the right way to treat others! If you see a kid on the playground who is having trouble tying his shoe, be kind and help out! Do it simply for the “thank you” and the smile from the other kid, and then hope that he’ll pass on your kindness and help another person. Kindness doesn’t have to cost you anything except a quick moment to give a hug, share a laugh, or tell someone how much they’re appreciated. Pass it on!
Also see: What are manners?, What is a compliment?
Do you remember the last time you felt sorry for something you’d done? Something that made another person sad, maybe something you didn’t realize would end in hurt feelings? Do remember how great it felt when the person you apologized to said, “I forgive you!”?
Forgiveness is letting go of anger and hurt feelings so you can make room for happier times. Forgiveness is all about second chances!
Is it okay to feel angry or gloomy when somebody hurts your feelings? Of course it is! You don’t have to ignore your feelings or pretend that nothing happened. Forgiveness is not about telling someone else it’s okay to upset you or letting a person continue to make you feel sad.
But when you’ve had a chance to understand that you’ve been hurt in some way, you may feel that you’re ready to move on.
All of us say we’re sorry from time to time, and we know how nice it is when another person forgives us so we can start fresh and make things even better the next time around! We can do the same for others by saying, “I forgive you.” Sometimes these words are followed by a big hug and an even better day than we could’ve imagined!
Also see: What is sportsmanship?
What is respect?
Respect is an important way of being kind and good to other people. Respect means not making fun of others. Respect means thinking of how somebody else feels. Respect is treating another person the same way you’d want to be treated yourself!
There are lots of easy ways to show respect! You show respect when you are polite, saying things like “please” and “thank you.” You show respect by appreciating people’s differences, like seeing someone as unique for the outfits they wear, rather than thinking they’re weird for dressing differently. You also show respect by not making people feel uncomfortable, like not pressuring another kid to play on the big slide if they say they’re scared of being so high up. You even show respect when you lend a helping hand!
It’s important to give respect to everyone. Do you think it would feel good if someone teased you because you wore glasses, or called you stupid for saying you liked a certain movie? No way! Chatty, shy, blue-eyed, brown-eyed, girl, boy, young, old – the world is full of special people, and they all deserve your equal respect!
Also see: What is dignity?, What is fairness?