Friendship breakups can hurt as badly as the end of a romantic relationship. Especially when these teen friendships end too abruptly, it can leave your kid feeling sad and disheartened. While for some teens it may just be a usual incident, for others it may feel a bit more perplexing. And for a parent, noticing your child experiencing the pain of losing a friend can be more painful.
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Nearly 60 percent of teenagers witness extreme friendship breakups, particularly during their high school years, that end up leaving them heartbroken. However, there are ways in which you can help your child face this rough patch and emerge stronger.
Read below this article to find out how you can help your teenager deal with a friendship breakup.
Be a listening ear
The most important thing you can do when it comes to helping your teen deal with a friendship breakup is to listen to them with attention. And it becomes even easier for your kids to open up when they find a safe and supportive environment at home. Sometimes, all your kids need is your presence and someone who can understand their emotions.
Give them the space
Overcoming the loss of a friend needs time and isn’t a matter of a fixed timer. Therefore, it becomes important for parents to give their kids the space they need, especially when they are no longer friends with someone who has been there for a long time. Giving them the time to move on will ensure they understand the reason behind what made their friendship end and develop a better perspective with time.
Share your experiences
Navigating your kids through your own experiences with friendship can certainly help your teen realize that not all friendships stand the test of time and that it’s normal to come across such situations in their life. Though it is important to validate their emotions, offering your own perspective will let them understand that friendships evolve over time and that ultimately, what matters is quality, not quantity.
Let them understand the reason behind it
Sometimes, your teen might never know why the friendship ended, leaving them confused for a while. In such situations, it is beneficial to help them understand what really went wrong. Also, make sure you avoid judging the situation without knowing both sides of the story; instead, focus on listening attentively to your teen.
Let your kid know it happens
Friendship breakups can trigger a whole whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s sadness, anger, or even guilt. Let them know that it’s not a big deal and that it happens. This way, it’s normal to feel whatever they’re feeling while assuring them they will move on over the friendship breakup within some time.
