Making friends. Losing friends. Choosing the wrong friends. Sometimes things go astray with your teen’s friendships.
A teen’s peers can challenge your child to do better and grow, or they can hurt your kid through giving and taking away their friendship, bullying or even rebellious behavior. Here is how some parents have helped their teens through this difficult relational time:
Whenever I heard my daughter speak to her friends, her response had little to do with what they
were talking about. So when she and I were alone, I pointed out that being a good friend meant being
a good listener.
I reminded her to:
By practicing these two habits, my daughter slowly became a more engaged listener and a better friend.
—Heather Pike
I tell my kids that before they offer an opinion, especially about their friends, they should ask themselves three questions:
If their answers are negative to any of those questions, they need to keep their opinion to themselves. By doing that, they have become more trustworthy friends.
—Sandra Samoska
One of my daughter’s best friends suddenly ended their friendship. Although my daughter didn’t know the reason behind the loss, she wrote a letter of apology, seeking forgiveness and restoration. The letter went unacknowledged — the friendship was unsalvageable.
During my daughter’s grief, I encouraged her to remember the good parts of the friendship and reminded her that friends must desire restoration for it to occur. I helped her process the stages of grief, as if a death had occurred, offering affirmation and encouragement.
—Candy Arrington
Ten-year-old Abby got in the car, tossed her bag in back and slumped in her seat.
“A new girl’s trying to steal Sarah away,” my daughter complained. “She wants to be Sarah’s best friend.”
I knew a teachable moment when I saw one. So I told Abby, “Sometimes the best way to love a friend is to share her with others. Sarah has blessed your life. Let her bless other girls’
lives, too.”
My daughter is learning to adjust her attitude. When she feels insecure, we talk. I’ve challenged her to say and think kind thoughts about this other girl and to occasionally even compliment her so that every action isn’t seen through a negative light. This has helped Abby learn to put herself in another’s shoes. Slowly, all three girls have become friends.
—Rebecca Lynn Dikeman
Lynsey earned a lead in her high school play. During the first rehearsal, she discovered that her character would have an affair with a married man. Since adultery violates the Ten Commandments, Lynsey explained her convictions to the director and relinquished the role. Her peers ridiculed her decision.
Lynsey’s father, Paul, stood by his daughter’s decision and told her, “If you choose to follow Christ, you’re going to risk being the unpopular person, but there may be a friend or two who later look back and remember your courage for Christ.” On the play’s closing night, one friend quietly told Lynsey, “I respect you. I was uncomfortable with this play but didn’t have the nerve to say it.”
—Brenda Nixon
—Tammy Darling
This article is a compilation of articles written by various authors. The author names are found within the article.
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