Getting to know your child's friend's parents is important

PERHAPS work commitments rarely allow you to drop off or collect your child at school. 

Or maybe you find social encounters with other parents tricky so you just drop your child and run.

It’s important to get to know your child’s friends’ parents, says Dublin-based psychologist Niamh Hannan ( www.mindworks.ie ). She says heartache with friends will bring your child home in tears, rather than bloody knees.