When things are going great with our friends, life is good. When things are going not-so-great, life can turn super-crummy, super-fast. Many of you wrote to us to share your experiences and questions
about what happens when friends fight.
- Sydney, 11, was confused because she heard a rumor that her best friend was talking about her.
- Jordan, 10, wonders if you can still love someone after they make you mad.
- Jasmine, 9, feels a lot of pressure when she gets into a fight and knows her side of the fight is wrong.
- Emily, 11, told us that her best friend tells a lot of "little lies" and now she doesn't trust her anymore.
- David, 12, and his best friend got into a big fight and although he wants to apologize, he doesn't know how to do it.
- Krystal, 10, and Jennifer, 10, are both sad because their best buds don't seem like they want to be friends with them anymore.
So, accept that fights are normal. That's the easy part. Knowing how to deal with them is a little harder. That's why we put together this guide to help you. Read through IML's tips for patching things up, starting with how to Think About It. Then, for more fight-busting examples, read through our Fantastic Fables of Fighting Friends, starting with "The Boy Who Needed Space."
Our thanks to Deborah Hardy, President, New York State School Counselor Association, for her contribution to this topic.
Topics on
When Friends Fight:
Make Peace, Not War
Think About It
Talk About It
The Importance of "I'm
Sorry"
Group Fights
Make Up and Move On
Ending Friendships
From the Mentors
When Friends Fight:
Make Peace, Not War
Think About It
Talk About It
The Importance of "I'm
Sorry"
Group Fights
Make Up and Move On
Ending Friendships
From the Mentors
Fantastic Fables of Fighting Friends
The Boy Who Needed
Space
The Girl With Two Faces
Attack of the Rival Friend
The Bickering Buddies
The Boy Who Needed
Space
The Girl With Two Faces
Attack of the Rival Friend
The Bickering Buddies