So, this may not have a lot to do with social skills but if you have a child with a lot of anxiety that interferes with their social. academic life here is something that may help.  Lemon Balm works in the same part of the brain as valium...but with no side effects and is in fact good for you.  It is in the mint family so it grows easily and tastes yummy. Here is a link for a lemon balm aid recipe and lemon balm tea. http://www.herbalinfusions.net/blog.html  Lemon balm  tastes like lemons without the tartness.  It may be helpful for kids with anxiety (or parents feeling anxiety).

Well my husband and I finally have our other website up  www.herbalinfusions.net.  Before you think I am an all natural girl-I just got done eating some potato chips.  Actually I only buy them once or twice a year.....  But I have been known to have a bit of a sweet tooth.  My husband;s mother was always into health stores and alternative medicine.  Let's just say I was skeptically open minded.  It seemed that you either had to reject traditional medicine calling it evil or something.  And we all know a little about snake oil and scams.  Yes I was too sophisticated for alternative medicine until I went to grad school and took a research class.  I learned to look at the research.  I read Dr. Amen's book on the brain and he lists some natural treatments for depression and anxiety, etc. and listed the research behind it.  I was intrigued.

My husband got into herbs.  If you know my husband he doesn't do things casually.  So for my birthday I thought I better find an aspect of his new hobby I could get into.  Aromatherapy sounded fun.  I liked nice smelling things.  So for my birthday I ordered a kit.  And some books.  And presto...I did research and yah...now I love it.

So why am I writing about aromatherapy on my website for friendship?  Well I think if we have a child that struggles in some area we want to look into everything we can to help them.  So, I would never suggest chucking medication if your child is on it, but you might want to research natural things also.  Together you might find the right balance.

And I am hoping that people will teach the concepts of cognitive therapy to their children ASAP...as well as learning this method for themselves.  I wrote "There's a Big Ant on Me!  Get It Off!" just to help people learn these principles in a fun, easy way.  Check out the book.  Kids love it and it is a wonderful tool to sit with your child and practice the skills while reading a fun book.

 Another thing to look into is lemon balm extract.  Dr. Oz said it works similarly to valium with no side effects.  If a child comes home stressed about homework and anxious this may be a great option, so they can start on their work without so much anxiety.

And of course "Brain Power".  Research actually shows that rosemary essential oil helps with memory recall.  But even if you don't buy the research just think how confident your child will feel spraying this on themselves.  It smells good!
So happy back to school.......Make it a great year...it's up to you.  (Rolls eyes but then looks up and there is a HAWK flying above you.  {Okay, you have to read "There's a Big Ant on Me, Get it Off" to get this.})