When Friends Turn Against Friends
By Karen Fusco
When children first begin to socialize, their relationships are pretty straightforward and the arguments tend to be innocent. Most of the time, a simple "I'm sorry" will put an end to the any hardships encountered. As the years go by and children get older, the disagreements between them can become more complex and the situations harder to deal with. How you help your child cope with such difficulties can set the tone for how your child handles conflict throughout his or her childhood, and even into adulthood.

The first time your son or daughter comes home in tears due to a conflict with a playmate can be heartbreaking. After all, we want to protect our children from the painful situations life may throw at them. Unfortunately, that's just not possible. One day your child may have to deal with the experience of having one or more friends turn against her – after all, children can be unreasonable and sometimes cruel. If this happens, it's essential that you help your child cope with the situation and teach her to overcome it.

If your son or daughter does happen to be at the receiving end of childhood ridicule and abuse, the first thing you need to do is sit down with him or her and explain that it doesn't necessarily mean the end of the friendship and it's definitely not the end of the world. Ask your

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