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Expert Q&A
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| By Kate Cohen-Posey Therapist | ||
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My son wants to hang out with a boy that my husband and I do not like. The boy has little restrictions or supervision. When my son hangs out with him he gets into trouble. For example, they were playing with matches and rubber cement. They ended up burning down the tree in front of our house. My son insists that the boy is a great kid.
Attack the misbehavior, but not the friend. Your son may have restrictions that include no contact with this friend when they get into trouble, but ultimately the choice of friends is his.
Parents should not try to control contact when they have no control (during school or unsupervised time after school) as it can encourage defiance. When the child is not on restriction from seeing this friend, encourage contact at your house where you can offer more supervision and get to know the friend and his good points.
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