News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

"Frienemies" is a term often used by middle and high school students to describe other students that seem to be around a lot, but aren't necessarily welcome. They may be on the same sports team with your child, or in the same class, and they act as though they're your child's friend, but they can sometimes be trouble.

"Experts advise parents to have conversations with their children about what makes a good friend (and what it takes to be one). Emphasize that good friends have each other's welfare at heart..."

As children grow older, parents often need to take more of a "backseat" approach to giving friendship advice. Your teenager may be miserable in a certain friendship but, in an attempt to exert his own independence, will tolerate the friendship simply because you've suggested that it should end. Read more at The Salt Lake Tribune Online.

In co-ed schools, students, staff, and parents are typically more concerned about boys bullying girls, rather than girls picking on other girls. However, a rise in girls' bullying and a trend towards girls being more violent and meaner to each other has many worried. Girls boarding schools can be a safe environment for adolescent girls because they're places where girls can totally be themselves. All girl boarding schools are about becoming part of a close-knit community of students, teachers and staff. Learn more about the positive aspects of girls boarding schools at Boarding Schools for Girls.