Friendship Deal Breakers
Line Fleming, M.A.
As we head back to school, there is a lot of anxiety among our students about making friends. And being in the “right friend group.” Many times a new school year means getting to know new classmates. The friends made last year are all in different classes.
Some concerns include “where do I fit in?” and “how do others see me?” “I feel different than the other students”, “will I get bullied?” As an attempt to fit in, sometimes we make friends with people who are not good for us. These friends can make us feel uncomfortable and get us in trouble. It’s ok to have Friendship Deal Breakers in mind when choosing friends.
Friendship Deal Breakers are qualities to look for in good friendships and relationships. Qualities of a healthy friendship include the following:
- 1. Honesty
- 2. Dependability
- 3. Trustworthy
- 4. Good Listener
- 5. Supportive in good times and bad times
Traits to be cautious about include the following:
- 1. Teases others
- 2. Talks badly about others
- 3. Makes fun of others
- 4. Pressures to do things you are not comfortable doing
- 5. Purposely excludes others
Being aware and confident about traits you want in a friendship is healthy. It’s ok to say NO to a potential friend who does not present healthy friendship qualities. These Friendship Deal Breakers will help to establish good friendships at school.