From the time our children can share a toy, friendships take on a role in their lives. As our children become teenagers, that role grows and friends take on a central place. Those teen friendships are very different from the ones in preschool and there are things parents are wondering: What is happening? How can I help? How can I get them to be friends with the right kids? Judy Davis and Sandy Fowler are getting answers to those questions and more from teen friendship expert Annie Fox. On this Mighty Parenting podcast, Annie will give us a peek inside the world of teen friendships and tell us exactly what parents need to know.
Real Talk explores a life skill. There are many life skills which parents need to teach their kids but there’s one we rarely think of—protecting your identity. Did you know, 10% of children under the age of 19 have had their identity stolen? In today’s Real Talk, Judy and Sandy discuss how to handle this with your teen or young adult.
 
A Favorite Quote from the Show:
Parents are not supposed to have the whole picture of what’s happening in our teen’s friendships. The goal isn’t to know everything, it’s to teach our kids to make good choices.
 
Our Guest:
Annie Fox, M.Ed., an award-winning author and educator in the realm of character development and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning), has been a trusted online adviser to teens and parents since 1997. Host of the popular podcast Family Confidential, Annie’s books include: The Girls’ Q&A Book on Friendship, Teaching Kids to Be Good People and the ground-breaking Middle School Confidential™ book and app series.
 
Tips & Info from our Sponsors:
DASIUM: Raising a teenager can create a lot of worry or anxiety for parents. It’s a whole different world than when they were young. At the core of it you want to have a good relationship—one where they know you have their back and will listen when they need it most. Focus on open communication, listening rather than lecturing or feeling the need to fix it. And do so without judgement.
Still worried? We understand. Teens go through a lot of phases so how do you know if their behavior is a phase or a sign that a problem is growing? Get Warning Signs: A Parenting Guide for Discovering if Your Child is At Risk for Depression, Addiction, or Suicide. Learn what is cause for concern and what will pass. Get information on next steps and ideas for handling problems if they arise.
 
More show notes on our podcast page