When Your Teen Struggles to Make Friends. What Parents Can Do That Actually Helps
This Complex Life · Marie Vakakis
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Show Notes
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 environment
- The difference between loneliness and healthy solitude
- Why pushing activities and giving too much advice can backfire
- The self-fulfilling cycle of social anxiety and avoidance
- Why some teens connect better with adults or younger children, not their peers
- How to ask gentle, open-ended questions without creating pressure
- How to stay emotionally available and supportive without trying to fix it
- Practical ways to explore screen use with curiosity instead of shame
Resources:
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://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/
Submit a question to the Podcast
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Mentioned in this episode:
Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset https://marievakakis.com.au/relationship-new-year-reset-2026/