Supporting Teens in Setting Boundaries with Friends

If your teen is having lots of screen time with friends, some of these things may happen with a friend:

• their friend needs a lot of support during this pandemic and your teen is feeling emotionally drained.
• their friend is great to hang out with but is sometimes thoughtless and your teen's feelings are often hurt.
• their friend does all the talking and your teen rarely has a chance to talk.

In "5 Ways to Help Teens Set Boundaries with Friends," Barbara Greenberg makes these suggestions:

1. Teach your teens to label their feelings.

2. Encourage teens to heed their feelings and intuition.

3. Explain to your teens that they can't be all things to all friends.

4. Discuss different ways to set boundaries.

5. Look at your behavior in relationships.

If Your Partner is A Survivor

In "So Your Partner is a Survivor--Seven Ways to Be Supportive," Kaylee Wolfe reflects on ways to be supportive to a partner who is a survivor.

• Give your partner space to tell their story.
• Believe your partner.
• You are a supporter, not a "savior."
• They are still the same person they were before they told you their story.
• Consider asking about triggers and how you can help.
• Avoid taking things personally that are really about your partner's trauma
• Remember healing can be lifelong and non-linear

For Wolfe's thoughtful details, check out the full article in The Portland Phoenix here.

Supporting a Friend Who Has Been Sexually Assaulted

In "How to be a Good Friend to a Sexual Assault Survivor" in Teen Vogue, Alisa Zipursky says:

Validate a survivor's feelings

Respect a survivor's choices about healing from the trauma

Stand with a survivor during dark and scary moments

Make it easier to give and receive support

Celebrate good moments in healing
                                                     
                                                      Check in about what works best for your friendship

Read here for Zipursky's article in Teen Vogue