Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting 221: Encore: What’s the Best Way for My Teen to Handle a Mean “Friend”?
May 27, 2025
Tackling the tricky world of teen friendships, the hosts dive into how to support kids facing mean peers. They discuss the importance of empathy and communication, as well as recognizing the transition from friendship to bullying. Strategies for navigating middle school dynamics and societal pressures are shared, emphasizing resilience and assertiveness. The conversation also highlights how parents can empower their teens to handle toxic relationships while balancing oversight with independence, especially in the age of social media.
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Use Small Steps to Address Meanness
- Start with a small, safe step like talking to a trusted friend in the group about the mean behavior.
- Use in-person conversations to gently acknowledge the issue and gauge support without causing conflict.
Envy Fuels Mean Friendships
- Envy often drives sudden hostility from one friend to another.
- Malicious envy aims to diminish the other person rather than improve oneself.
Stand Up with Small Responses
- Encourage standing up for oneself with small, calm responses like "Ouch" or "That doesn't feel fair".
- Small reactions can alter the dynamics and may stop further meanness.