033 - Good Friendships

It's here! The thing teens care most about - FRIENDS!  ⁠ This week we decided to focus on good friendships - why they matter, the difference between healthy and toxic friendships, and what character traits your daughter can develop to become a better friend. ⁠ Why having a good friend matters Good friends teach us how to interact with all different people Good friends they teach patience and forgiveness Good friends they help us move past our comfort zones Good friends keep our minds healthy Good friends help us endure the hard things in life What’s the difference between a good friendship and a toxic friendship BLAME: Toxic friendships often leave you feeling responsible for things that aren’t your fault LISTENING:  If you find that your friend doesn’t ever listen to you - sometimes quite literally- you may be in a toxic friendship. Only one person is getting their needs met. TIME SPENT: In a toxic friendship, one might get left out/not invited. Or, opposite, you can’t spend anytime apart. RESPECT: Toxic friendships don’t take you seriously. They put pressure on your values and boundaries. VULNERABILITY:  Toxic friendship are not a safe place where we aren't comfortable sharing vulnerabilities or our full self. What character traits your daughter can develop to become a better friend Leadership Reciprocity Empathy Kindness Respect for boundaries Loyalty Trust Resources Sissy Goff, Focus on the Family, https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/friendship-factor-making-and-keeping-friends/ LifeAbout.com, Why Friendship is Important, https://www.liveabout.com/why-friendship-is-important-1385655 Tara Parker-Pope, What are Friends For? https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/health/21well.html?_r=0 Mallory Grimste, LCSW, 5 Warning Signs of a Toxic Friendship, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcEkeyt05Nc Mallory Grimste, LCSW, Other Resource: www.mallorygrimste.com, @mallorygrimste Life As Mama, Teach Your Teen How to be a Good Friend, https://lifeasmama.com/teach-your-teen-how-to-be-a-good-friend/