399: When Your Teen Struggles with Friends // Brooke Romney
Nov 4, 2024
auto_awesome
Brooke Romney, a best-selling author known for her "Modern Manners for Teens and Kids" series, shares insights on supporting teens facing friendship struggles. She emphasizes the emotional weight of these issues for both teens and their moms. The discussion covers strategies for validating feelings, fostering empathy, and guiding teens towards independence in social dynamics. Brooke also introduces practical tips for engaging strong-willed teens and highlights the importance of creating a nurturing family environment to support their social development.
Understanding that each child has a unique social timeline helps parents support their teens without unnecessary comparisons to others.
Encouraging children to engage in extracurricular activities fosters not only their social skills but also boosts their confidence and resilience.
Deep dives
Different Timelines for Social Development
Social development occurs at varying rates for each child, influenced by individual personalities and experiences. Parents often find it challenging to avoid comparing their child's social life to others', especially in a world where social media highlights children's activities. It's essential to recognize that just because one child enjoys a packed social calendar doesn't mean another child is lacking or struggling; they might simply prefer quieter interactions. Understanding that each child has a unique social timeline allows parents to support them patiently and avoid projecting their concerns onto their children.
Adopting a Growth Mindset in Social Skills
Many parents embrace a growth mindset regarding academic skills but often overlook its importance in social development. It is crucial for parents to acknowledge that social skills can be learned and improved with practice, just like academics or sports. Resources such as the 'Modern Manners' book series can provide practical tips to enhance children's social interactions and build their confidence. Empowering children to practice and develop these skills fosters resilience and adaptability in social settings, ultimately leading to more meaningful connections.
Empowering Kids to Build Confidence
Confidence in children often stems from competence in various activities, and parents play a pivotal role in facilitating this through opportunities. Encouraging involvement in school clubs, sports, or community events can help children find their passions and meet new friends. When faced with resistance, parents can give choices among activities to instill a sense of ownership while ensuring participation is a requirement. This not only promotes social skills but also provides structured environments where children can thrive and connect with peers.
Creating a Supportive Family Environment
Establishing a nurturing family atmosphere is vital for children, especially during challenging times outside the home. Families can strengthen their bonds by planning regular fun activities, providing children with consistent support and joy amidst social struggles. Simple traditions like game nights, movie outings, or family adventures create a safe space for children to decompress and feel valued. These shared experiences bolster their sense of belonging and remind them that family remains a reliable source of love and encouragement, enhancing their overall resilience in facing social dynamics.
Teenage friendship problems weigh heavily on us moms. 💔
Do you have a teenager who’s struggling with friends? It hurts the mama heart, doesn’t it?
October was Teen Month here on 3 in 30, but I decided to extend that one more week to include one of my favorite resources for advice on raising teenagers: Brooke Romney.
I asked Brooke to talk with us about how to help support our teens when they’re coming up against problems with friends. And let’s face it, friendship problems are a universal teenage experience at some point or another.
I hope you find Brooke's advice as helpful and wise as I have!
For full show notes, including takeaways, click here.