Thinking Further About Friendships

A child’s social relationships are some of the strongest influences in her or his development. Kids’ friends influence them in all areas of their lives—at school, at home, and at work. Whether your children build positive relationships is largely up to them, but there are things you can do to help ensure that their friendships have a positive and lasting influence. By staying informed and doing what you can to create a positive community that includes your children, their friends, and their friends’ parents, you can help your children develop important life skills that will allow them to continue building positive relationships long into the future.

Books Available from Search Institute

• Parenting at the Speed of Teens — This easy-to-use guide contains practical, common-sense advice on everyday topics such as friends, stress, and jobs, as well as more serious issues, such as divorce, racism, and substance abuse.

Other Useful Web Sites

• How Important Are Childhood Friendships — UCLA’s Health Tips for Parents discusses the importance of friendships and gives advice for parents on how to encourage positive friendships.