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“In order to get a friend, you have to be a friend. Be ready to be a friend.” This insightful quote from Maya Angelou highlights a valuable truism: The first step to having meaningful and rewarding friendships requires becoming a good friend and being friendly to others. With that in mind, what are the best strategies and tips we can share with our kids to help them be a better friend and enjoy healthier friendships? Here are several that can make a real difference: Use active list …

Have you ever asked yourself, “How many friends do I have?” Of course, there are many different levels of friendship. You have your “Bestie Super Close” friends that are a part of your soul, your “Kinda Close” friends that bounce in and out of your life often, your “Hi – Bye” friends (called acquaintances), and finally those friends who don’t really fit into any of your categories other than “Friend.” Regardless of the friendship level, one rule stands constant: In order to hav …

The middle school years are arguably the most challenging time for children, mainly due to friendship struggles. Friendships can change from day to day, sometimes even from hour to hour. This can be so confusing and frustrating for preteens who have always relied on their friends for camaraderie throughout their school day. When your child feels like his friendships are at risk, it can make him distracted with worry about his role in the conflict and that he may end up losing friend …

An interview with authors Alesia Montgomery and Laura BuddenbergFor many children (and adults), the countdown to summer break is on their minds beginning in early spring. As the school year winds down, kids look forward to sleeping in, playing in the sun, not having homework, and much more!If you live in a neighborhood with other children the age of your own children, informal get-togethers and hangouts are probably more common. But if you happen to live in a neighborhood without many child …

    He asked if I liked to eat crayons. I’d just moved to the area in the middle of first grade and wanted desperately to make friends, so I said I did. He smiled and a friendship was born. My father viewed my new friend with a skeptical eye, and I knew soon he’d render a judgement. I definitely felt bad for lying to my new friend and was worried that one day I’d have to fess up — or chow down. Fortunately, that day never came. He and I remained friends through elemen …