10/01/2026
Children’s friendships are mirrors, not decorations.
A child may look:
Well-behaved at school
Polite during visits
“From a good home”
But behavior in public is not character in private.
Parents must look beyond:
Shared toys
Shared uniforms
Shared laughter
And pay attention to:
How your child feels after spending time with them
Sudden fear, withdrawal, or aggression
New words, habits, or secrecy
Discomfort around certain adults
Children absorb before they explain.