Teen Friendship Problems: How to Help Without Making Things Worse INTERVIEW WITH MY GIRLS

Ask Rachel anything What do you do when your teenager has no friends — or tells you they feel lonely, left out or as if they just don't fit in? Watching your child struggle with friendships can be incredibly painful. Our instinct as parents is often to jump in with advice, suggest what they should do, or panic that something has gone terribly wrong. But is that actually what teenagers need from us? In this episode, Rachel sits down with her daughters, Phoebe and Amelia, for a candid conversation about what teenage friendship really feels like from the inside. They've both experienced periods of feeling friendless and have had to navigate starting new schools and colleges, established friendship groups, rejection, changing friendships and the awkward business of trying to make new friends. So what helped — and what do they wish parents understood? We talk about: • what parents should do when their teenager says they have no friends • why listening can be far more helpful than immediately offering advice • how to make friends when everyone else seems to have found their group • why teenagers sometimes need to make the first move • using your “taxi light” to signal that you're open to friendship • why sitting on your phone can make you look unavailable when you're actually feeling awkward • how to cope when you're not invited or a friendship becomes one-sided • why having several different friendships can be healthier than relying on one best friend • friendship jealousy and comparing your relationships with other people's • how social media changes teenage friendships and creates a whole new set of social signals • why vulnerability is essential for creating deeper friendships • whether turning to AI for emotional support could actually deprive teenagers of opportunities for human connection • WhatsApp groups, social media and being careful about what you say online • and why arguments and disagreements don't necessarily mean a friendship is unhealthy. One of the most reassuring messages in this conversation is that friendships change constantly. A teenager who feels completely alone today may meet someone next week who becomes one of the most important people in their life. Phoebe and Amelia both describe friendships that appeared unexpectedly — and how reaching out, inviting someone for coffee or simply taking a small social risk can completely change things. They also have an important message for parents: don't panic. If your teenager is struggling socially, they may not need you to fix it. Sometimes they need somewhere safe to talk without being given a list of solutions. And for teenagers themselves, there's a lovely reminder: having no friends right now doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. Friendships come and go, people grow together and apart, and periods of being alone can also be a chance to develop your own interests, confidence and sense of self. A warm, funny and unusually honest conversation about teen friendships, loneliness, making friends, social media, rejection and fitting in — straight from teenagers themselves. Support the show Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits. Find all the tips from the episode on Substack: My email [email protected] My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me Instagram Facebook