Boys, friendships and finding their place
Friendships can be one of the most important — and sometimes most challenging — parts of growing up. In this video series, parenting expert Michelle Mitchell joins The Fathering Project's Dr James Brown to unpack what boys really need from their friendships, what happens when things get hard, and how dads and parents can help.
Boys want close friendships, too.
There's a persistent idea that boys don't need the same depth of friendship and emotional connection as girls. But when we listen to boys themselves, a different picture emerges.
Boys want people they can trust. They want to belong. They want friendships where they can be themselves — even if the way they build and express those relationships doesn't always look the way adults expect.
Across five conversations, Michelle Mitchell and Dr James Brown explore what's really happening within boys' friendships and how dads, parents and trusted adults can help boys build strong, healthy connections.
Inspired by Friendship Smart
The series explores key themes from Michelle's new book, helping parents better understand boys' friendships and support them through connection, conflict, belonging and change.
Boys don't need us to manage every friendship for them. They need us close enough to notice, listen and help them navigate it.
Understanding boys, friendship and belonging
From the myths we hold about boys and friendship, to bullying, belonging and the role dads can play, Michelle Mitchell and Dr James Brown unpack what's really going on beneath the surface — and how parents can support boys through it.
The most damaging myth surrounding boys
Busting the myth that boys don't want close friendships — and what Michelle Mitchell found when she interviewed boys directly about what friendship really means to them.
The one friend every boy needs
Trust tests, rough-and-tumble and playground banter — what's really happening as boys test trust, build closeness and work out who feels safe to let in.
How dads and male role models shape boys' friendships
What fathers and trusted male figures can offer boys through the relationships they model — showing that closeness, trust and vulnerability don't have to come at the cost of feeling strong.
How to support boys when friendships get hard
What do you do when your son says, "I'm fine", but you know he isn't? Michelle shares practical ways to open the conversation, what parents can say, and why we don't always need to jump straight in and fix the problem.
When a boy is facing real bullying
Where does a normal friendship falling-out end and bullying begin? Michelle explores how parents can recognise the difference, why bullying can follow boys beyond the school gate, and the role dads can play in helping them respond rather than staying silent.
Sometimes the most useful thing we can give our boys isn't an answer. It's a safe place to talk.
Boys & Friendships — The Fathering Project
What can dads and parents do?
We can't control every friendship experience our children will have. But we can help them develop the confidence, skills and support they need to navigate them.
Resist the urge to immediately fix the problem. Start by understanding what happened and how your child feels.
Gentle questions can help boys make sense of what's happening without feeling interrogated or judged.
Knowing there's a trusted adult in their corner gives boys somewhere safe to return when friendships feel difficult.
Meet Michelle and James
Michelle Mitchell
Michelle Mitchell is an author, speaker and parenting educator with extensive experience supporting children, teenagers and families through the social and emotional challenges of growing up.
Dr James Brown
Dr James Brown joins Michelle to explore what boys' friendship experiences mean for dads and families, and the practical role fathers and father figures can play in helping boys build healthy, supportive relationships.
Helping dads build stronger relationships with their kids.
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