While no parent has to be pushed too far to admit that their child isn’t always an angel, we try as parents to help them find the right path. Working with kids to help them through hard times is important, and helping and showing them the right way to act in a given situation is a big part of raising children.

However, when your child is around friends who may act out more it can pose some problems. How are parents supposed to handle other’s kids when they are the one’s misbehaving. It can be infuriating, and saying something isn’t always socially right.

What should a parent do in this kind of situation?

One answer columnist says:

Should we ever reprimand another parent’s child?

It depends. Are you the responsible adult in charge in that moment? Is the child at your home, where your rules reign? Are you checking your own anger or bossiness?

If it’s really about the child’s behavior then offering a new choice may be helpful. If the parent is present, do you ask them to redirect their child? "I notice Joey is… could you ask him to make a different choice?" or "Do you think we should help out?"

Often a parent is just too tired or distracted to step up to the plate, help that parent with gentle reminders.

(Source)

Do you agree? While cases where you or another child is in danger- there isn’t much of a question, when there is no immediate danger- what should someone do?

After you have a baby, especially a first child, life becomes busy in ways most never dream of.  There isn’t much time to do much else than taking care of your newborn and their needs.  Especially during those first few months, it is almost impossible to keep in touch with friends.

However, even after life settles back down into a more comfortable routine keeping in touch with friends still may be placed on the back burner.  There are a million and one excuses, and it does happens but picking up that telephone and calling can have some great benefits for you.

Even though you may other things that seems to take over the forefront in your mind, making some time to catch up and get together with good friends can really make a lot of difference in how you feel.  While even if your own parenthood status among your friends is more unique, and have more childless friends, call them and just catch up.

Be assured that while your friends love you and your child, and may ask some questions about your child try not to overload them with all the little details.  While it is tempting, and we have all been there more than likely your friends are more interested in hearing other news about you.  Especially if it has been a while since you last talked.  Sure, that potty training is really exciting, but generally speaking you friends more than likely don’t need (or want) all the details.

That’s not to say you should put a complete ban on talking about your child (or children), but keep it minimal.  While it may be assuring that your friends will more than likely one day have kids of their own, and eventually understand the want to talk about them, now try to keep the baby talk minimal.

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What makes someone a “real friend”?

“A true friend has my back and will stick with me no matter what. He keeps my business private, and he appreciates and respects me.”–Justin, 11

“The friends I’m closest with are always truthful, even when the truth may hurt. They are always looking out for my best interests.”–Lucia, 14

When it comes to the middle school years, it can feel like everything is changing at once, especially friendships. Will you still be friends with the kids you were close to in elementary school? How will you make new friends? And what is a real friend, anyway?

Written by an expert on tween and teen issues, REAL FRIENDS VS. THE OTHER KIND offers insider information on making friends, resolving disputes, and dealing with common hazards of the middle school social scene–like gossip, exclusion, and cyberbullying. There’s also expert advice on crushes, peer pressure, and being there for friends who need help. Filled with character narratives, quizzes, quotes from real kids, and resources, this book is a survival guide for the middle school years.

REAL FRIENDS VS. THE OTHER KIND offers middle schoolers helpful, realistic advice on how to:

• Identify what being a friend means to you–and what it doesn’t.
• Stand up for beliefs and resolve conflicts with friends.
• Deal with peer pressure, especially from someone you consider a friend.
• Reach out to friends who seem to need help.

“This book lays out a guide for finding out who your real friends are with added tips on how to be a great friend.”
–Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years

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