It’s hard to watch your child struggle to make friends. You might feel stuck between wanting to help and not wanting to push too hard.In this episode of This Complex Life, I answer a listener’s question "Hi Marie. My daughter has trouble making friends. We really pinned all our hopes and things changing when she started high school this year, but it has come around to the school holidays again and she is feeling sad and lonely. I don't know how best to support her. Should I fill her days with activities that I think might be fun?" I explore why some teens feel lonely even when they’re surrounded by peers, why pushing activities can backfire, and what parents can do to stay connected without adding pressure.This conversation is for anyone wondering how to support young people who are navigating social struggles and feeling left out.Key Takeaways:Why friendship struggles can follow teens even in a fresh school environmentThe difference between loneliness and healthy solitudeWhy pushing activities and giving too much advice can backfireThe self-fulfilling cycle of social anxiety and avoidanceWhy some teens connect better with adults or younger children, not their peersHow to ask gentle, open-ended questions without creating pressureHow to stay emotionally available and supportive without trying to fix itPractical ways to explore screen use with curiosity instead of shameResources:The Therapy HubRelationship Refresh CourseMoving from Manager to Consultant If you found this episode helpful, I’d love for you to share it with other parents, carers, or anyone supporting teens through friendship challenges. You can find more episodes, resources, and workshops on the website.You might also like other episodes that explore parenting, connection, and supporting young people through life’s challenges.Connected Teens https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/Connect with Marie https://thetherapyhub.com.au/ https://marievakakis.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/Submit a question to the Podcasthttps://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

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