Love this Michelle, and can relate re: people pleasing. I do think teenagers really need the reinforcement of friends to feel less out of place (hopefully true friends if they are lucky). I think that's natural, and we go through it again in college or after graduation. But learning to enjoy your own company is important. I don't have kids but I would say sometimes my mom would declare we were doing something together at that age whether I was into the idea or not, and I am glad she did that. It reinforced our bond and we usually had fun together. I never would have volunteered to hang with my mom and I think some parents do lose touch a bit too much at that age. It's memories they will be grateful for in the future if nothing else! 😅