You Can’t Pick Your Teens’ Friends; But You Can Influence Their Choices
Chris Knoewster suggests:
Clearly communicate family values to your kids from early on.
Stay close to your kids—teens who have positive relationships with their parents make better choices in their friendships.
Foster a postive environment—encourage your teens to join clubs, teams, etc.
How Involved Should Parents Be in their Teens’ Friendships?
Give your teen some privacy—but don’t hesitate to observe wherever and whenever you can. “The need for parents to know trumps privacy,” says Donna Secor.
Go to school events.
Try to meet parents of your teens’ friends.
Keep the computer in public areas of the house.
Talk to other parents about your concerns.
Ask your child relevant, but not prying, questions about her friends.
Andrea Grazzini Walstrom is a freelance writer who covers kids’ issues and policies—and a mom of two from Burnsville, Minnesota.