Question: I don’t like my teen’s friends. What do I do?
Answer: Plain and simple: you don’t have to like your teen’s friends. This is a personal choice – your teen’s personal choice – and your likes and dislikes as a parent really should not be a part of the equation. Granted, if your teen’s friend is influencing him/her to behave in an inappropriate manner, then you’ll need to do something. But if it is just that your personality does not mesh with the friend’s personality that is just too bad. You’ll need to be the adult in the situation and keep your objections in check. You should:
- Keep any negative opinions to yourself.
- Give the friendship some time, it may not work out or you may change your opinion about the friend.
- Be fair to your teen when he/she wants to do something with that friend.
Recommended Book List:
- How to Say No and Keep Your Friends: Peer Pressure Reversal for Teens and Preteens
- Peer Pressure: Deal with it without losing your cool
