Annie Fox/Hey Terra! - Parent Forum

Welcome to Annie Fox’s Parent Forum — online education and support for parents raising tweens and teens. At times, your job is the toughest in the world. That’s true, in part, because your daughters and sons may be pushing back hard, trying to convince you that they’ve got it all figured out. They don’t. Not yet. Your 21st century teens still need you. To lead them effectively, you need 21st century parenting skills.

So read my blog, and Q & A from other parents, check out my Parenting Tips and my essays. Have a listen to my new podcast series “Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting” where I interview authors of exciting new parenting books. Or send me a question. You’ll get straightforward advice that you can use immediately to create healthier relationships in your family. That’s going to translate into more trust, respect, honesty, and open communication at home. Sounds like something we’d all like more of, right?

Annie’s Blog:
Friendship issues from the 5th grade

May 8, 2012

After a brief hiatus (due to an Autism Awareness Month blog and a review of the new documentary Bully), here is Part 4 of a 5-part series on elementary school friendship issues. If you're new to this series and you want to help the kids in your life deal with peer conflicts and bullying, please check out the previous segments: Friendship issues from the 2nd grade, the 3rd grade, and the 4th grade) Next up... Questions from the 6th grade.

How do you know someone is your friend? + 7 other similarly worded questions.

It's a great question because you can't tell just from looking at someone or maybe not even from knowing them for a little while. So how can you tell when someone is a real friend or a fake friend? To answer this question, I asked my best friend, my husband David. Without hesitation he said, "By the way the person treats you!" Excellent answer! I agree. If you are wondering whether your friend is the real kind, there's probably something going on that makes you uncertain about the friendship. Otherwise, you wouldn't be asking the question. Aside from looking at your friend's behavior, there's another piece to figuring out if someone is a true friend or not, and that has to do with the way you feel when you're with that friend. If you feel relaxed, safe, respected, accepted, listened to and comfortable enough to "be yourself," then chances s/he is a real friend. Make sure that you are a real friend too!

If your friend is telling secrets, what should you do? There is no rule that says friends must tell each other everything. More »

Real Friends
iPad App

Are You My Friend?
iBook by Annie Fox
Illustrated by Eli Noyes

''The Teen Survival Guide to Dating & Relating: Real-World Advice on Guys, Girls, Growing Up, and Getting Along'' by Annie Fox M.Ed.

Download a Free Copy
of this entire book

Annie Fox Podcast - Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting

Sexual orientation:
“Our son's friend is gay!”

Dear Annie,

My teenage son has a close friend who is gay. Our son has been very secretive lately (with his computer and phone use). What can we say to make sure our son doesn't make a bad decision like his friend? Help!

Worried parent

Read Annie’s Answer »

Bullying:
“I think I've made my daughter into one of those mean girls.”

Hey Terra,

Having just read your "Mean Girls" article, I had to write. At times my 13-year-old daughter is one of those mean girls. She's in the in-group and is invited to everything. She also can be critical of others. I blame my husband and myself. I spent 30 minutes at a party last night trying not to...

Read Annie’s Answer »


	Parent Forum Welcome to Annie Fox’s Parent Forum — online education and support for parents raising tweens and teens. At times, your job is the toughest in the world. That’s true, in part, because your daughters and sons may be pushing back hard, trying to convince you that they’ve got it all figured out. They don’t. Not yet. Your 21st century teens still need you. To lead them effectively, you need 21st century parenting skills. So read my blog, and Q & A from other parents, check out my Parenting Tips and my essays. Have a listen to my new podcast series “Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting” where I interview authors of exciting new parenting books. Or send me a question. You’ll get straightforward advice that you can use immediately to create healthier relationships in your family. That’s going to translate into more trust, respect, honesty, and open communication at home. Sounds like something we’d all like more of, right? Annie’s Blog: Friendship issues from the 5th grade May 8, 2012 After a brief hiatus (due to an Autism Awareness Month blog and a review of the new documentary Bully), here is Part 4 of a 5-part series on elementary school friendship issues. If you're new to this series and you want to help the kids in your life deal with peer conflicts and bullying, please check out the previous segments: Friendship issues from the 2nd grade, the 3rd grade, and the 4th grade) Next up... Questions from the 6th grade. How do you know someone is your friend? + 7 other similarly worded questions. It's a great question because you can't tell just from looking at someone or maybe not even from knowing them for a little while. So how can you tell when someone is a real friend or a fake friend? To answer this question, I asked my best friend, my husband David. Without hesitation he said, "By the way the person treats you!" Excellent answer! I agree. If you are wondering whether your friend is the real kind, there's probably something going on that makes you uncertain about the friendship. Otherwise, you wouldn't be asking the question. Aside from looking at your friend's behavior, there's another piece to figuring out if someone is a true friend or not, and that has to do with the way you feel when you're with that friend. If you feel relaxed, safe, respected, accepted, listened to and comfortable enough to "be yourself," then chances s/he is a real friend. Make sure that you are a real friend too! If your friend is telling secrets, what should you do? There is no rule that says friends must tell each other everything. More » Real Friends iPad App Are You My Friend? iBook by Annie Fox Illustrated by Eli Noyes Download a Free Copy of this entire book Sexual orientation: “Our son's friend is gay!” Dear Annie, My teenage son has a close friend who is gay. Our son has been very secretive lately (with his computer and phone use). What can we say to make sure our son doesn't make a bad decision like his friend? Help! Worried parent Read Annie’s Answer » Bullying: “I think I've made my daughter into one of those mean girls.” Hey Terra, Having just read your "Mean Girls" article, I had to write. At times my 13-year-old daughter is one of those mean girls. She's in the in-group and is invited to everything. She also can be critical of others. I blame my husband and myself. I spent 30 minutes at a party last night trying not to... Read Annie’s Answer » Home \| Teens \| Parents \| Educators \| Events \| Books \| Blog \| Podcast \| About \| Contact In the Media \| Newsletters Archive \| Subscribe to Email List \| Facebook \| Twitter New: Cruel’s Not Cool Copyright © 2002-2012 Annie Fox. All Rights Reserved. Site designed by Daniel Will-Harris, implemented by Electric Eggplant, and hosted on HostGator.com This page last updated August 19, 2010

Parent Forum

Annie’s Blog:Friendship issues from the 5th grade

May 8, 2012

Sexual orientation: “Our son's friend is gay!”

Bullying: “I think I've made my daughter into one of those mean girls.”

Annie’s Blog:
Friendship issues from the 5th grade

Sexual orientation:
“Our son's friend is gay!”

Bullying:
“I think I've made my daughter into one of those mean girls.”