What Makes a Good Friend
Name two things a good friend does that makes you feel safe to be yourself.
You're new to a lunch table and don't know anyone. Name one brave thing you could say or do
Ask to sit down, introduce yourself, ask someone a question about themselves, or compliment something genuine.
A girl jokes about another girl's hair and everyone laughs — except the girl whose hair it is. Is this funny?
No. If the person being joked about doesn't feel included in the laughter, the joke was at her expense, not with her.
Name a feeling you might have when a friend is going through something hard and you don't know what to say.
Worried, helpless, awkward, scared of saying the wrong thing — all of these are normal and okay.
Your two best friends got in a fight and they're both asking you to take sides. What's the healthy thing to do?
Stay neutral, refuse to take sides, encourage them to talk to each other, and be clear you care about both of them.
A good friend disagrees with you about something. What can they do to show they still care about you?
They can say 'I see it differently, but I still hear you' — disagreeing doesn't mean disrespecting.
Bonus 100: Real friends can disagree. What makes the difference between a fight and a healthy disagreement?
You feel like you don't fit in with any group at school. What's one thing that is NOT true about you in that moment?
That you are unlikeable, unworthy of friendship, or that this feeling will last forever.
Someone says 'I was just joking!' after saying something hurtful. Does that make it okay?
No. The impact of words doesn't disappear just because someone adds 'just joking.' The hurt is still real.
Your friend is upset and venting to you. She doesn't ask for advice. What does she probably need from you?
Just to be heard and understood. Listening without jumping to fix it is one of the most powerful things a friend can do.
A friend suddenly stops texting back and seems distant. Before getting upset, what are some possible reasons that have nothing to do with you?
She could be dealing with something at home, feeling overwhelmed, going through something she hasn't shared yet, or just needing space.
What is the difference between a friend who is honest and a friend who is just mean?
An honest friend tells you something hard because they care how it affects you. A mean friend says hurtful things without caring how you feel.
What is the difference between finding friends who share your interests versus just going along with a group to fit in?
Shared interests create real connection. Going along just to fit in can leave you feeling fake or exhausted.
Your friend group has an 'inside joke' that makes fun of how one member talks. She laughs along, but you notice she seems uncomfortable. What do you do?
Check in with her privately. She may be laughing to avoid conflict. A good friend notices when someone is masking hurt.
You feel jealous of your friend's new friendship. Is jealousy bad? What does it actually tell you?
Jealousy isn't bad — it's information. It often means you value that friendship and are afraid of losing it. The question is what you do with that feeling.
What is the difference between a friendship 'break' and a friendship ending?
A break is space to breathe and come back. An ending is a mutual (or one-sided) recognition that the friendship has run its course — and that's okay too.
Bonus 200: Do friendships have to last forever to have been meaningful?
Your friend promised to keep your secret but told someone else. Is she still a good friend? What could you do?
Trust is broken. A good next step is to tell her how you felt — calmly — and decide together if it can be repaired.
You're part of a friend group but one person in it makes you feel left out. What are some options you have?
Talk to her directly, talk to another friend in the group, talk to a trusted adult, or find connections outside the group too.
What makes a joke about someone's body DIFFERENT from a regular teasing joke between friends? (birth marks, hair type etc)
Body jokes target something someone can't change and often touches deep insecurity. They can cause lasting shame even if 'meant' as a joke.
You and your best friend both like the same boy and it's causing tension. How can you handle it without losing the friendship?
Be honest with each other, agree that your friendship comes first, and avoid letting a crush become a competition. Talk it through before things explode.
You apologize to a friend but she's still upset. Does apologizing mean she has to forgive you right away?
No. An apology is your responsibility. Forgiveness is hers — on her own timeline. A real apology doesn't come with an expectation of instant forgiveness.
What does it mean to be a 'fair-weather friend' — and why can that be hurtful?
A fair-weather friend is only around when things are fun or easy. It hurts because you realize they weren't there for the real you.
Have you ever felt like someone was only your friend sometimes?
Some people seem to have tons of friends and you only have one or two close ones. What is actually better about having fewer close friends?
Fewer close friendships can mean more trust, more depth, more real support — quality over quantity is always valid.
Someone keeps joking about the same thing you're already insecure about. You've told her it bothers you and she keeps doing it. What is this called, and what can you do?
This is repeated hurtful behavior — it can be a form of bullying. You can set a firm boundary, distance yourself, and talk to a trusted adult.
What does it mean to 'hold space' for a friend, and why is it one of the most important friendship skills?
Holding space means being present with someone in their pain without trying to fix, minimize, or redirect it. It says: 'your feelings matter and I'm not going anywhere.'
How do you know when a friendship has become unhealthy or toxic — even if you've been friends for a long time?
Signs: you feel worse about yourself after being with her, you walk on eggshells, there's constant drama, she puts you down, or you feel like you can't be yourself.