DIVINE
  • English
    • Français
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Family
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Living
  • Reviews
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Instagram
  • Legal
Stay Connected
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
DIVINE
  • English
  • French
DIVINE
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Living
  • Family
  • Health
  • Reviews
  • Family

Navigating the Mean Girl Phase

  • March 2, 2020
  • 3 minute read
  • Caron Irwin
Total
0
Shares
0
0
1

Unfortunately, Mean Girls is not just an iconic Lindsey Lohan movie, it is a behaviour that is common among girls, and can start as young as age 3. The technical term for this behaviour is relational aggression – a form of bullying that has the goal of damaging an individual’s relationships or social experiences. We are all aware of the phrases “you can’t come to my birthday” or “you aren’t my best friend any more”. Why is this behaviour more common in young girls?

Some researchers believe that girls engage in verbal aggression verses the physical aggression that their male peers participate in because they are more socially aware and have stronger vocabularies at a young age. It is also noticed that girls seek out and rely on a tight group of friends to help them feel secure and confident; therefore, they are in more exclusive friend groups then boys. But, young children, in general, are at the height of establishing their roles and identity and this stage of development can lead to insecure feelings which can also result in children participating in this form of bullying.

The phrase sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never harm me is far from the truth. The name calling and social alienation that mean girl behaviour causes has huge impact on children. These behaviours can often go unnoticed because they most commonly occur during an unstructured time, such a recess, making it hard for teachers or care providers to be aware and intervene.  Below, are some strategies for parents on how to navigate and avoid the mean girl phase:

Be the Role Model!

Our kids are always watching us and learning from what we do. Be aware of your behaviour and how you speak about and to others. This is especially important between mothers and daughters. It is also valuable for parents to share with their children the qualities that their own friends have and how their friends make them feel good. This sharing helps children become more aware of the positive qualities that they should be looking for in the people they spend time with.

Encourage Your Child To Have Diverse Friend Groups

Having different friend groups encourages kids to have and practice different roles depending on the group they are in and multiple friend groups help children manage their feelings around difficult relationships. For example, if your child is having a difficult time with one friend group, they can rely on their other groups to help them cope, manage their difficult feelings, restore their confidence and maintain overall happiness.

Stop and Listen

If your child is involved in frenemy drama (whether they are the perpetrator or the victim), it is important for parents to realize that this is not just a phase or an issue that will blow over. Stop, and listen to your child. Give your child the skills and tools to help work through this phase, whether it is knowing how to stand up for themselves and seek out help or, if it is learning and practicing positive ways to engage and interact with others.

Mean Girls: Books about kindness

Promote Empathy and Kindness in Your Home

Make sure your children understand what empathy means and are aware of the different ways that they can show kindness to others. Children’s story books on these topics are a wonderful resource for parents for teaching these skills and qualities.

 

Total
1
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Related Topics
  • Child Advice
  • Childhood Lessons
  • Empathy
  • Frenemy
  • Mean Girls
  • Parenting
  • Parenting Advice
  • Parenting Expert
  • Parenting Tips
  • Roo Parenting
Caron Irwin

Caron is a Toronto-based mother of three & the founder of Roo Parenting, where she provides parents of kids ages 0-12 with support to navigate the adventures and challenges of parenting. She holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Studies from Ryerson University and is a Certified Child Life Specialist.

Previous Article
  • Family

Why Mothers Benefit from Embracing the Modern World of Gaming

  • February 28, 2020
  • divine.ca
View Post
Next Article
Veal Stir Fry
  • Food

Veal Stir Fry – Three Ways

  • March 2, 2020
  • divine.ca
View Post

Sign Up for our #Divinistas Newsletter

Get notified of the best deals on our WordPress themes.

You May Also Like
View Post
  • Family

Holiday Gift Guide: Last Minute Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages

  • December 20, 2020
  • Jill Schneiderman
Festive Christmas TV Specials Movies Canada
View Post
  • Family
  • Film & TV

10 Festive Family TV Specials to Watch Now

  • December 6, 2020
  • Terry M Chang
divine Canada best black friday Deals 2020
View Post
  • Family
  • Fashion
  • Living

Nab These Ten Black Friday Deals in Canada

  • November 26, 2020
  • Terry M Chang
Halloween: Jack O'Lantern
View Post
  • Family
  • Food

Halloween: How to Celebrate Safely in 2020

  • October 30, 2020
  • Jill Schneiderman
Fourth Trimester: Baby with skin care
View Post
  • Family
  • Reviews

Tried and Tested: The 4T Box for New Moms

  • October 22, 2020
  • Caroline Elie
Essentiels bébé et maman
View Post
  • Family

Nine Essentials For The New Mom

  • September 24, 2020
  • Caroline Elie
Mental Health: Pregnant Women Looking at the sky
View Post
  • Family
  • Health

Women’s Mental Health: A Mother’s Journey

  • September 24, 2020
  • Jill Schneiderman
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Mother holding Child
View Post
  • Family
  • Health

A Doctor’s Perspective on Perinatal Mood Disorders

  • September 22, 2020
  • Jill Schneiderman
Search
Featured Posts
  • Holiday Gifts

    Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts That She Really Wants

    • 4 min
    View Post
  • Domestic Violence

    Domestic Violence and How You Can Help During the Pandemic

    • 8 min
    View Post
  • How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

    DIVINE Reads: How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

    • 3 min
    View Post
Get in on the Fun
Top Posts
  • Must Watch Specialty TV W Network Why Women Kill 1
    Must-Watch Specialty TV in Canada for Fall 2020
    • 4 min
  • 2
    HomePod Mini: Apple’s New Home Essential
    • 2 min
  • Walk-In Closet: Caroline Elie looking in a drawer 3
    3 Tips For the Perfect Walk-In Closet At Home
    • 1 min
Stay Connected
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Featured Posts
  • The Editor-In-Chief’s Christmas Gift Picks

    • 1 min
    View Post
  • Solar Panels

    Achieving A Modern And Energy-Efficient Home

    • 3 min
    View Post
  • Cranberry Chutney

    Traveling Taste Buds: Winter Spiced Cranberry Chutney

    • 2 min
    View Post

Sign Up for our #Divinistas Newsletter

about
DIVINE Magazine

Canada's Online Women's Magazine

DIVINE Magazine is the bilingual online destination for Canadian women. Bringing you trending features that are relevant and interesting to Canadian women, DIVINE is the place to visit for useful, practical and entertaining content.
Subscribe
Partner Network
SWAGGER Magazine, North America’s
Online Men‘s Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.Ohlala.ca, Canada’s bilingual online dating & sex resource.

View the VIBE, Toronto’s
VIBE authority.

WanderEater.com, North America’s fresh new Food and Travel Lifestyle Magazine.

Part of the STAMINA Group
of brands.

Learn More
about
Stay Connected

Follow along on Instagram @DIVINEdotca

Kick your feed up a notch with the hottest beauty, style trends, recipes and more! It's not too late, follow along today and you might just catch the behind-the-scenes of our next shoot or even a contest. You can thank us later. ;) #Divinistas
Follow Us
DIVINE
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Making your life a little more DIVINE.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.