Do you meet with your child's new friends and their parents?

Knowing your child’s friends and their parents was relatively easy in elementary school but as your child moves to middle school and on to high school it is increasingly difficult to know your teen’s friends. You are no longer driving them everywhere, they have more independence. However, knowing your children’s friends is even more important. Peers have a large influence on your teens and are a major contributing factor to their behavior. Do you know if it is a good influence?

Below are some tips to help you navigate this tricky world:

• Try and meet all of your teen's friends (host them at your house);
• Get to know their names and faces;
• Keep a list of their friends;
• Always get their home and cell number, parents name and address; and
• Do not allow your teen to go over to anyone's house to hang-out unless you have met that teen, have seen the house, know the address, know how to get there, and have met or called the other parents.

Remember, a change in a sport team, club or other group can mean a new group of friends. Your involvement will let your teen know you care and stress the importance of having friends that are a good influence.