Fleeting Friendships

Shannon and her good friend together with their driver

At their young ages, friends come and go every year, every term, and sometimes every week. Your BFF this week, might become someone you hardly talk to the next. Friendships are fleeting and dynamic, a reflection of their young ever-changing lives.

I think that is fine - as they navigate the social web of their school friends, it is important for them to hang out with as many different people as they can, to understand that each person they meet is different, and has traits they might like or dislike. They should find out who they get along with and who is incompatible with their values.

Most important, as they build up their network, they need to learn to be adept at making new friends as they would be constantly pushed into new groups and situations where typically the most socially capable ones would do better than those who are quiet and timid.

Growing up, I was that shy one, always hiding behind my mum. I needed that extra push to get out there, and even then, I was always uncomfortable and extremely nervous. I'm still that way - but I remind myself to speak up or disappear into the "sea of others". I'm telling my kids the same thing these days.