Jennifer Lytle
How To Help Teens Make Friends: A Guide for Parents
Featured on Choosing Therapy
According to one online news outlet, The Hill, post-pandemic teens are still experiencing fallout in friendships, connection, and mental health. While the trend has been downhill for the last decade, it’s concerning that teens are still struggling in these areas. What can the invested teen parent do? Here are seven ways parents help teens make friends.
- Encourage Hobbies
- Connect with Teen’s Friends
- Provide or Outsource Designated Teen Spaces
- Co-Family Vacations & Outings
- Connect in & Support Self-Awareness & Self-Expression
- Autonomy in Self-Expression Related to Personal Space
- Model Positive Friendships
Read the entire article on Choosing Therapy with detail on each step and information about what impedes friendships in the teen stage of life.
If you are a parent in search of professional support for your child experiencing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), school fears, Social Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, or Specific Phobias, Joyful Journeys Counseling offers specialized support in these areas for teens and parents. Parents may benefit from direct, one-on-one parent support through our high touch and streamlined Empowered Parent program. This program is designed as weekly, one-on-one coaching sessions. Parents will become adept at fostering robust connections with their teens (and children of all ages). Contact us today for your first session. Schedule a free consultation using this link, email us directly, or submit your contact information below.
Cheers to successful parenting and navigating the teen years!
Do you have experience supporting your teen to navigate friendships and other relationships? Share your feedback in the comments section below! Inquisitive minds wish to know!
