Summary: <a href="http://bit.ly/WFHep55"></a>By the time our kids finish middle school, many will have suffered the sting of being left behind by a formerly “best” friend. Many more will have struggled with how to create some space between themselves and the playmates they have simply outgrown. Lots of kids end up on both sides of that equation (or at least ours have). Neither side is easy– but we’re here to figure out how to make it less painful for all concerned, whichever side our kid is on.<br> In this episode we discuss: <br> <br> how not to over-identify with the rejection our kids might feel (as Eileen Kennedy-Moore puts it, <a href="https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-04-26/3-ways-to-help-a-child-cope-with-being-dumped-by-a-friend">“don’t go lioness”</a>)<br> the difference between someone bullying your kid and someone just really, really disappointing her<br> how to support older kids through the heartbreak<br> how best to help our kids when they’re the ones who might need to say “I need more space”<br> <br> Here’s links to some great writing on the topic: <br> Eileen Kennedy-Moore for US News and World Report: <a href="https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-04-26/3-ways-to-help-a-child-cope-with-being-dumped-by-a-friend">3 Ways to Help a Child Cope With Being Dumped by a Friend</a><br> Dr. Carl Pickhardt for Psychology Today: <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201209/adolescence-and-the-loss-best-friend">Adolescence and the Loss of a Best Friend</a><br> KJ Dell’Antonia for NYT Motherlode: <a href="https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/when-another-child-wants-to-be-friends-and-yours-does-not/">When Another Child Wants To Be Friends And Yours Does Not</a><br> Whatever you do, maintain perspective! Don’t dismiss or ignore your child’s feelings, but don’t go lioness either.<br> <a href="https://www.bark.us?ref=FRESH"></a>This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://www.bark.us?ref=FRESH">Bark</a>: technology that keeps tweens and teens safer online. <br> <a href="https://www.bark.us?ref=FRESH">Bark</a> monitors emails, texts, and over 25 social media platforms for a variety of potential issues, such as cyberbullying, sexting, drug use, and signs of depression.If a potential issue is detected, an alert is sent to you to review the issue, along with recommended actions on how to handle the situation. No issues? No alerts. Your kids get their privacy, and you get your peace of mind. <br> Parents created Bark to keep their own kids safe. And— this is Amy— I’ve been using Bark with my kids for two years. I don’t have to worry about what I’m missing, and my kids don’t feel like I’m looking over their shoulders.<br> Try <a href="https://www.bark.us?ref=FRESH">Bark</a> for free and you’ll see how easy and helpful it is. Go to bark.us to get started, and use the code FRESH for a 7 day free trial plus 20% off your first year.<br> <br> <a title="Kid Friend Breakups: Episode 55" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/2018/05/kid-friend-breakups-episode-55/"></a><br> <a title="Kid Friend Breakups: Episode 55" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/2018/05/kid-friend-breakups-episode-55/"></a><br>
