How to Meet a Teen's Friends

Teenagers often spend most of their waking hours with their peers. Because of this reality, parents find meeting their teen's friends very important to understanding the social pressures and situations their teen is experiencing. When a parent has a good relationship with their teen's friends, they can often gain a useful ally or two in critical times.

Instructions

Learn to Connect With Your Teen's Friends

1. Invite your teen's friends over to your house.

2. Keep plenty of snacks on hand--especially homemade snacks, if you have the time. Teens are drawn to a low-stress environment where they'll find tasty snacks and time to relax.

3. Offer something that will attract your teen's friends. Buy a pizza or rent a movie. Most teens want to get out of their own houses, so an invitation will almost never be turned down.

4. Host a BBQ. A small social gathering in the backyard is likely to bring some friends over. Creating a fun atmosphere with food and music will make the teens feel at ease.

5. Keep the conversation light. Talk to your teen's friends about things they like. Learn what you can about their families and home lives.

6. Include your teen's friends in your weekend plans. Bring them along to church or to a social event.

Get Involved in Your Teen's Activities

1. Attend your teen's sporting events or extracurricular activities. Be supportive but semi-invisible. The last thing a teenager wants is his mom or dad always around.

2. Act in an unobtrusive way when your teen's friends are around. Give them plenty of support and space at the same time. Teens often use peer relationships to learn to be mature.

3. Volunteer at your teen's activities to meet her friends. Even if you are not the best coach, you can find other ways to volunteer, such as being the team mom.

4. Provide team snacks or offer rides to your teen's friends. This is often necessary for teens who can't drive yet.

Tips & Warnings

• If your teen knows that friends are allowed to hang out without being pestered by adults, your teen will enjoy inviting his friends over.

• Find a way to meet the parents of your teen's friends. You may find that you have similar interests, which may lead to future activities together.

• Don't try to steal the attention from your teen when her friends are around. The idea is for you to be able to meet them, not recruit them as your own friends.