Boys and girls are so different in their relationships with friends. Having two older boys - I'm thrown for a loop on how to navigate the friendship woes of my daughter (grade school).

Kate’s Answer: The key to this situation is for the younger daughter to feel heard and respected when she shares her concerns.  If a parent has already raised older children, particularly children who have a different gender than a younger child, the impression may be given that the younger child is expected to do things the way the older siblings did.  And if the younger child is a girl with older brothers, this could be detrimental to your daughter. 

The older brothers should be cautioned to allow their younger sister to experience life as she does, with no comments about whether her feelings and impressions are right or wrong.  To respect her view of life and to ask her questions about her vantage point can be enlightening for everyone involved. 

There is no doubt this can be challenging to older siblings, who naturally have the belief that simply because they are older, they know better.  Allowing the daughter to share her view of life, with no judgment or recrimination, will help her grow up to be trusting of life rather than wary that what she wants to say will be criticized and critiqued.