Is your middle schooler or high schooler dealing with a so-called “friend” who’s just… mean? You’re not alone. Tweens and teens often struggle with toxic friendships, and it’s tough for parents to know when to step in—and how. In this episode, Dr. Lisa & Reena help a parent navigate one of the most common challenges of adolescence: friendship drama. Learn how to coach your child through unhealthy peer dynamics, when to give advice (and when to hold back), and how to help teens build healthy, supportive relationships.

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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.

Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: teen friendships, toxic friends, mean girl behavior, middle school drama, emotional resilience, parenting advice, peer pressure, social skills for teens, teen mental health

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

Peter Christiaan Bisschop and Yuko Yokochi, "The Skandapurána" (Brill, 2021)