Good friendships

Friends should make you feel good most of the time.

"Whenever something major happens, my BFF is the first person I call. If it’s good news, she’s excited, but if I’m upset, she helps me calm down."

Your friends should like you for who you are, and enjoy spending time with you. Here are some other signs of a good friendship:

Having fun together
Being happy when something good happens to them
Wanting to help your friend when something bad happens to them
Feeling that your friend will stick up for you
Not worrying that your friend might share your secrets with someone else or talk about you behind your back

What do I like in a friend?

If you could choose any friend in the world, who would it be? What would make them a good friend to you? Make a list of the things you like in a friend. For example:

My friend should be nice to me
My friend should come to my birthday party
My friend should like the same things as me

Am I a good friend?

Knowing how to be a good friend is part of having good, healthy friendships. Try making a list of all of the things that make you a good friend. Here are some examples:

I am funny
I like to have fun
I am good at sharing my toys and books
I stick up for my friends

When things feel wrong

While friends don’t always get along, always feeling angry or hurt in a friendship isn’t a good thing. When a friend hurts your feelings, it’s a good idea to talk it out. Some tips for a good talk:

Wait until you are alone with the friend
Say, “It hurt my feelings when you _____.”
Try not to stay upset with your friend, especially if you get an apology. Your friend might not realize that they have hurt you. That’s why it’s good to be honest with your friend.

The next page is about what to do when a friend is mean to you.