This is adapted from my blog about friend's a couple of years ago, some of you will already have read it, however I have adapted it as I think many people of us seem to have difficult times with friendships and relationships at times.

Friendship is a

funny thing, and as parents, we should do our best to guide our children to be good trustworthy friends - regardless of how their friends treat them.  We shouldn't let our experiences affect their friendships and jade their view of other people.  Instead, we should teach them how to be a good friend, and choose good friends - quality, is far more important than quantity.   I also believe that this applies even more with family - we don't choose our family, and sometimes they can be difficult to deal with - however we should try to realise that our family member's are just people too.  This is my view on friendship, and as his role model; I will try to pass this philosophy on to my child.  I will teach him that sometimes your friends may not always be on your side, or agree with you, however that is ok…
 

Friend's The Spice of Life

Life is like a great big juicy meal, you can nibble around the edges, and blow on it tentatively just in case it's too hot. Or you can throw caution to the wind and attack it with gusto, taking your fill and not worrying too much if you get burnt in the process. Life can be pretty bland, so to spice it up a bit, you throw in some friends... Friends can be very flavoursome, sweet, sour, hot, cold. The point is, they are there to enhance your life, and enrich it - not to be your life - for that has substance on it's own. As with herbs and spices in your meals, you often have different friends for different situations; life long friends from childhood; school friends; work friends; sporting friends; friends of friends; online friends; and acquaintances with whom you are friendly.

The key to having so many friends is ACCEPTANCE... Accept that they may not agree with everything that you do or say, yet know that they will respect you and support you if needed. How do you know that your friends will do this for you? Because that is exactly what you will do for them - and they know it. Seriously, do you agree with everything that all of your friends say and do? I doubt it, and if you pretend to, then you aren't really a good friend, as that is lying by omission, and not showing them your true self or being honest with them.

My real friends don't expect their friends to follow them blindly, nor do they try to manipulate support for the actions they take and the choices they make. My wonderful friends don't use emotional blackmail to try and get you to support their point of view. They know, that even if I disagree with them publicly, I do so because I must follow my own conscience, make my own informed decisions as an adult, and travel my own path. I would be very disappointed if they themselves did anything less, and we are all confident in the knowledge that we will always be there when it really counts.

My friends know that I will say what I think always, and that I am honest in my expression of my opinion and fair - I treat everyone the same way - no exceptions. When I do something that is totally out of line, I listen to them, as I value their opinion. I take pleasure that someone cares enough to tell me if I am making a fool of myself, or heading for trouble - someone who cared less, and was merely a 'yes' friend, or as I like to call them a 'sheep' would not risk the aggravation. I will do the same for a friend, rather than stand by and watch them do something to the detriment of themselves or others.

Like spices, certain friends are better suited to specific foods. They come in varying flavours and strengths, and they make that slice of life taste delicious. You can spit them out and regurgitate them, however I find that it is best to grin and bear it when they don't taste so good, for you can't have too many real friends who accept you for what you are - can you? Imagine how boring your meal would be if you added spice to it that just blended in?

Above all friends should enhance your life and be FUN! If they leave a funny taste in your mouth all the time, and make you feel uncomfortable - you can avoid that particular taste - by removing them from your menu. Or, you can store them away, for when your taste buds change, or they mature in flavour.

Luisa Foliaki - Mother of MicroMe