When you are a child, it’s often difficult to differentiate between healthy friends and unhealthy friends. This short and interactive article is a help for parents to explain it to their children.
How A Friend Asked Me To Steal
When I was 8 years old, one day my classmate told me to steal money from my parents to buy ice cream. Another friend overheard it and told the teacher, and my teacher explained the disadvantages of lying, cheating, stealing and how my parents would lose trust in me.
Upon inquiring, my teacher found out that my classmate’s parents didn’t give her pocket money and the temptation to eat ice cream was so tempting and the fun of getting easy money was irresistible. Thus, she started stealing from her home, and it became a habit, and she would instigate others to do the same because she never realised that every action has a consequence.
She did become popular for a while as she would buy ice cream for her friends, but she lost her respect among teachers, and her parents and eventually no friend wanted to be with her when they found out about her habit of stealing.
That’s when I realised that temporary popularity is like borrowing a shiny toy from a friend – it might seem exciting at first, but sooner or later, you’ll have to give it back. What truly matters is the joy and pride that comes from being true to yourself, not just fitting into someone else’s idea of fun or coolness.
Can you think of any similar incidents which you can relate to? Sometimes it could be a simple act of stealing or lying and sometimes it could be so damaging to get influenced that the consequences could be damaging.
As we grow up, we make lots of friends. Some friends make us feel happy and supported, while others might not make us feel so good. Today, let’s talk about the difference between healthy and unhealthy friends, and why it’s important to choose wisely.
What Are Healthy Friends?
Healthy friends cheer you on when you’re trying new things or facing challenges. They believe in you and help you believe in yourself too. They treat you with respect and make you feel valued.
They encourage you to make good choices. They won’t pressure you into doing things that you know are wrong or that make you uncomfortable. They respect rules and respect you when you follow rules.
You can trust healthy friends with your secrets and feelings. They won’t gossip or betray your trust.
What Are Unhealthy Friends?
Negative Influence: Unhealthy friends might encourage you to do things that you know are wrong or that make you feel uncomfortable. They may pressure you to break rules or behave in ways that go against your values, like lying, cheating, asking you to bunk school, playing pranks on others which may look exciting but can be harmful to the other friend.
They may only think about themselves and not consider your feelings or needs. They might take advantage of you or treat you poorly. If you can’t trust your friend or if they frequently break promises or betray your confidence, they only show up when they want something from you, it’s a sign of an unhealthy friendship.
Remember, it’s essential to choose your friends wisely. We all make mistakes, and friendships take time to grow. If you’re ever unsure about a friend, talk to a trusted adult. If you find yourself in an unhealthy friendship, don’t be afraid to speak up or distance yourself from that person. Your happiness and well-being are essential!
Family Activity:
- Ask any family member to share their experiences with their healthy and unhealthy friends. How did they resolve the situation?
- Share with us if you have encountered any such situation and what you did about it.
Be a good friend yourself and choose friends who make you happy. Stay awesome!