Christine Carter: When your child says “Nobody likes me!”

Parenting expert and Raising Happiness author Christine Carter says parents shouldn't rush in to reassure their child.

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team

Here’s how 4 other parenting experts say to respond…

Madeline Levine
“Don’t jump in too fast!” warns Madeline Levine, author of Teach Your Children Well. Instead, take this approach so your child learns to navigate friendships. Format: Video (1:33)

Betsy Brown Braun
The author of parenting books Just Tell Me What to Say and You’re Not the Boss of Me says to listen and help your child step up his social interactions. Format: Article

Sh*tty Moms
“Aww, suck it up,” says Alicia Ybarbo. “It’s your fault,” says Mary Ann Zoellner. The co-authors of Sh*tty Mom agree that with this complaint, tough love is in order. Format: Video (1:28)

Heidi Allen Garvin
The Mormon Moms founder and mother of three teens advises taking action — and fast. Format: Article

About the author

The GreatSchools Editorial Team

GreatSchools.org is a national nonprofit with a mission to help every child obtain a high-quality education that values their unique abilities, identities, and aspirations. We believe in the power of research-backed, actionable information to empower parents, family members, and educators to help make this happen. For 25 years, the GreatSchools Editorial Team has been working to make the latest, most important, and most actionable research in education, learning, and child development accessible and actionable for parents through articles, videos, podcasts, hands-on learning resources, email and text messaging programs, and more. Our team consists of journalists, researchers, academics, former teachers and education leaders — most of whom are also dedicated parents and family members — who not only research, fact check, and write or produce this information, but who use it in our daily lives as well. We welcome your feedback at editorial@greatschools.org.