Navigating Friendship Fallings-Out
Friendship drama is part of growing up. Here's how to help your child through it without taking over.
Friendship fallings-out are a normal — and painful — part of childhood. Your child comes home in tears because their best friend played with someone else, or said something unkind. Your instinct is to protect, to call the other parent, to fix it.
But here's the thing: these moments are where children learn to navigate relationships. If we step in and fix every conflict, they don't develop the skills to repair ruptures themselves — and repair is one of the most important relationship skills there is.
Instead, be a sounding board. 'That sounds really hurtful. What do you think you'd like to do about it?' Help them think through their options. Sometimes they'll want to talk it through with the friend; sometimes they'll decide to let it go. Either way, they're learning that conflicts can be repaired — and that's a lesson that will serve them for life.
Larry Says
"Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. You've got this — and so does your child."
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