207: What's the Best Way for My Teen to Handle a Mean "Friend"?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’ resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday. 

________________

Is your child struggling with a difficult friendship? Middle school social dynamics can be tricky, and knowing how to guide your child without making things worse is a real challenge. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan tackle a parent's question about a daughter facing repeated unkindness from a friend.

Lisa shares practical, research-backed strategies to help kids navigate these situations and offers crucial advice for parents on how to give advice kids will actually listen to.

If your child has ever come home from school upset about a friend, this episode is a must-listen.

Olweus’s Bullying Prevention Program: https://clemsonolweus.org/

“Bullying at School” by Dan Olweus: https://www.amazon.com/Bullying-School-What-Know-Can/dp/0631192417

Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast

And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.

Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/

Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com

________________

Episode Keywords: tween friendships, middle school drama, bullying, social skills, mean girls, teen conflict, friendship struggles, mean friends, social dynamics, conflict resolution, childhood development, friendship issues, emotional support

Show Keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence