Helping children to identify toxic friend behaviour

Photos by Chinese photographer Chen Jiagang showcase a world devastated by industrialisation. This world made me thing of another form of pollution : toxic relations. Here’s a bit more on the subject, with the aim to help children getting clarity when it comes to friendship.

Friendship is sacred for kids, especially for pre-teens and teens. They can be over protective with friends, even with the  ones who don’t treat them always right in return. So is not an easy subject to embark on.  I like Doctor Ben Kim‘s approach as it is a very good place to start a discussion. Here’s, he says, what constitutes “toxic-to-your-health” behaviour :

1. Attempting to intimidate you by yelling or becoming violent in any manner (slamming a door is a violent act).

2. Consistently talking down at you, sending the message that he or she is just plain better than you.

3. Regularly telling you what he or she thinks is wrong with you.

4. Slandering others behind their backs i.e. trying to engage you in gossip that is hurtful to others.

5. Spending the bulk of your conversations complaining about his or her life and others.

6. Discouraging you from pursuing your interests and dreams when you are capable of doing so without hurting or burdening others.

7. Attempting to take advantage of your kindness and resources, and trying to make you feel guilty if you don’t do what he or she wants.

Click here to read the full article How to Deal With Toxic People and Behavior by Dr Ben Kim.