Supporting Children Through Friendship Challenges

Two women hugging, one holding a book titled 'It's OK to Feel This Way' with a small apple graphic and the words 'fearless inside.'

Friendship is one of the most powerful parts of childhood — and one of the most complex. When challenges arise, many parents feel unsure whether to step in, step back, or say the “right” thing.

What We See In Schools

In my work as a school counsellor, I often see girls struggle because they lack language and tools.

How Parents Can Help

Focus on skills, not blame

Conflict is part of development.

Encourage repair

Connection is something we practice.

Illustration of two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a brown heart together.
Two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a red heart together.

Help name the feeling

Clarity reduces overwhelm.

Stay calm first

Your nervous system sets the tone.

Two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a heart.
Illustration of two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a red heart between them.

The CARE Kit helps families:

Two hands of different skin tones holding a brown heart above them.
Two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a brown heart together.

Build emotional language


Children learn to name and understand what they’re feeling, which helps emotions settle and communication improve.

Create calm moments of connection

The kit gives you a simple starting point for conversations, without needing to know the “right” thing to say.

An illustration of two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a heart.
Illustration of two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a heart together.

Support confidence and
self-trust

Rather than telling children what to do, the kit helps them practise making choices that feel right for them.

Respond without over-fixing

The CARE framework supports listening and acknowledging first, before jumping into solutions.

Illustration of two hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, holding a red heart.

Return to the same language, again and again

CARE creates a shared language families can come back to during different friendship challenges.

Box labeled 'Friendship First Aid Kit' surrounded by rocks and a pine cone on a white surface with a beige background.

When families find the CARE Kit helpful

Parents often reach for the CARE Kit:

  • After school, once emotions have settled

  • During friendship fallouts or feelings of exclusion

  • When children struggle to explain what’s wrong

  • When parents want to support without taking over

You don’t need to use the kit perfectly, or all at once.
Even small moments of CARE can make a difference.