- Think about it...
Have you ever felt like your best friend was pushing you away? How would you feel if a friend stopped letting you play with them at recess, or sit with them at lunch?
- Talk to your school counselor and tell him or her that your friend has been excluding you. Maybe the counselor could set up a meeting between you and your friend.
Students' Advice:
- Talk to your friend. Tell him or her that you wish you could play together.
- Talk to your friend to see if there's been a misunderstanding. Use an I statement like, "I'm sorry if I did something to hurt your feelings or make you mad. I wish you could tell me what I did so I can make it better."
- Talk to your friend and use an "I statement" like, " I feel sad when you exclude me, because you're my best friend and I just want us to have fun together."
Teacher's Advice:
- Let your friend know that you love him/her, and that you're sorry if there was a misunderstanding between the two of you. To quote my students, use "I statements" like...
"I'm sorry if I did something to hurt your feelings or make you mad. I wish you could tell me what I did so I can make it better."
" I feel sad when you exclude me, because you're my best friend and I just want us to have fun together."
- Talk to your teacher or counselor. If your friend's problem is with you, the counselor may be able to set up a meeting between the two of you, or arrange for peer mediation.
- Always talk things out with your parents. Talking out your problem with adults who you respect will help you feel confident that you're doing the right thing!