Researchers have found that kids with healthy friendships are happier, have less reported anxiety, and do better in school than those who don’t. Choosing friends is one of the most important things your girl can do in adolescence.

The Book of Proverbs tells us “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Consider where your daughter is making the majority of her friendships. If she’s struggling to find her people, it might be because she isn’t surrounded by the right individuals. Finding a Christian environment like a church group or American Heritage Girls Troop can open her up to a network of Godly friends.

So often our girls spend more time with their friends than they do their family. Rather than cut back on this time, make sure the friends she does hang around with are ones who make a positive impact and influence her for the better.

Listen to the Raising Godly Girls Minute with Patti Garibay: