friendship drama, in words

It’s all too easy for your child to get sucked into any drama that’s happening with their friends. Disagreements happen in friendships groups and your child may be asked to take sides, or get asked for their opinion on what happened which can be very awkward and difficult to avoid. Children may worry that they are going to say the wrong thing or get dragged into the situation. They may come home unhappy and stressed because of the drama and not know what to do. They don’t want to fall out with their friends, especially when the drama has nothing to do with them. Most children would rather stay out of it.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH FRIENDSHIP DRAMA 

So how can parents help children to stay out of friendship drama when they come to them for advice?

  • They can chat to them about it as it can help to gain a different perspective.
  • They can suggest to their child that perhaps they can tell their friends that they don’t want to take sides and not have any part of the fallout conversations. The drama is between them and them only.
  • Suggest that they can move away from the drama and see how it unfolds without any involvement. It may fizzle out and, even if it doesn’t, at least they stay out of it.
  • Advise they could move towards other friends who they like spending time with and are easygoing. They may have certain friends who are always involved in drama, so finding calmer friends could be a good move.
  • Suggest they get some distance from the argument as this will help them feel less stressed and worried.

Suggest these ideas to your child. It may be that new friendships are formed where there is more calmness. Perhaps their friendship group is a little ‘toxic’ and it would help your child to be aware of that. There may be drama around being dumped by their friends without knowing the reason why. Drama can be found everywhere in the school playground. Parents if you can stay out of it. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

For more information on friendships and how to help your child download my friendship ebook.