Yesterday, after track, my son grabbed a random water bottle and aimed it at his oldest friend, pretending to spray him. His friend yelled, “Don’t! I don’t want nasty old water on me!” My son froze, then dropped the bottle.

It looked small, but it mattered. I reminded him: “Your friend told you what he didn’t want. If you want good friends, you have to listen and treat them with respect.”

He was surprised, like friendships just last forever. But they don’t. Friendships are something we care for, and sometimes that means stopping, regrouping, and checking in with ourselves.

That’s what I keep teaching him. When he pushes too far, I ask: “What do you need to do right now to take care of yourself?”

Because when kids can regulate themselves, they can respect others. And that’s how they become friends people can trust.

✅ Listen when people set boundaries.
✅ Treat friendships like something you earn.
✅ Regroup, breathe, and ask, “How can I be my best self right now?”

Parenting is the long game. Gentle reminders—not punishment—shape who our kids become. Choose love. That’s how we raise good friends and good people.

You can read the full story here [Friends don’t last forever]