Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me: The Top 25 Friendship Problems And How To Solve Them

by Michele Borba

Look no further. The resource you need to solve these problems and boost your child’s social competence is in your hands Based on a survey of five thousand teachers and parents, Nobody Likes Me shows how to teach your child the 25 most essential friendship-building skills kids need to find, make, and keep friends, as well as survive that social pressure from peers.

Genres: Parenting, Psychology, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2005

About the author

Dr. Michele Borba is an educational psychologist and an author.

Reviews

[Scott Langston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly common sense handbook for parents of younger kids and tweens. I wouldn't argue with most of it and would recommend it to some parents I see. Very US-centric though.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up when I was actually looking for something else at the library. I don't really like the title but otherwise I'd recommend this book. It talks about why children today seem to have more issues with friends than when I was growing up (or so it seems at a younger age anyway!).

Part One talks about why friends matter and basic skills that parents can help teach their children so they get along more easily with others. It also talks about the parents' role in their child's friendships. Part three addresses common friendship issues like being Bossy, Cliques, feeling Left Out, Peer Pressure, Tiffs and Breakups, Too Competitive and more. What I especially like is how the author breaks down each issue by asking: What's Wrong; Why Is This Happening; What Should I Say?; and What Should I Do? The she provides a Friendship Skill Builder box for each and finally Friendship Skill Builder book suggestions on that particular topic for both parents and children (there are several for ages as young as 4 and up).

I would definitely recommend this book!

[Riveris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'll start with the positives.
The picture on the cover is pretty, and the information is simplistic.
But perhaps TO simplistic.
My mother got the book when I was about 9 and having social issues and feeling pretty depressed. I read the book, expecting to be told nice things and a survival guide for when you feel like there is no one there to support you, and your all alone and feeling, well, depressed.
This was not the case.
First off, some children continue having problems AFTER all that is dealt with. Heck, sometimes, they're even WORSE off.
Secondly, it seems to forget that the children are, well, children, and they can't simply deal with whatever the "right" way.
Lastly, the book recemendations are crazy. I've seen some ones rated next to mature in there. And this is a book for KIDS.
In short,the book is okay, as long as the problem is nothing serious. Though since most parents look for books when it DOES get serious, it could make the book pointless.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointingly simplistic and in an almost workbook/checklist format. Also, many (if not most) of the suggestions wouldn't work in the real world of kids. It is good for people to "own" their role in problems -- as it is rare that kids' friendship problems are one-sided. There was a disappointing amount of blaming the victim here, though, particularly with some of the more serious situations.

That said, it is well-written and nicely structured, and there were some tips that could help some kids.

[Vj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valuable resource for a classroom teacher or social worker. For each topic (friendship problem), the author includes sections about What's Wrong? Why Is This Happening? What Can I Say? and What Can I Do? for the adult reader. In addition, for each topic, the author has a friendship skill builder, a friendship tip, and two lists of books (or movies) for adults and for kids. A helpful resource to have handy to share with parents; I especially like the questions for the parents to consider about family dynamics that might be triggering these problems.

[Cathy Campbell]

If you are a kid or a parent of a kid who is bullied or if you are a kid or parent of a kid who bullies, you may be interested in this book I am reading. Bullying is such a growing problem in the US, I am wondering what we should be doing about it.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for parents whose kids are struggling with bullying or social skills; also good for teachers, counselors, clergy, etc who work with kids and teens.

[Jayden Zigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

i dont want to go to school i felt lonley

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so this book has some cheeseball stuff in it, but overall is extremely thorough and well organized. I especially appreciated the connections to further reading for kids and adults. This book could be updated a bit to incorporate more further reading ideas, as well as the increasing role of social media in friendship.