Is Your Daughter Facing “Mean Girl” Behavior? You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Powerless

Something has shifted in how kids treat each other—and it’s showing up earlier than ever. Teasing used to be obvious. Now it hides in silence, exclusion, and subtle digs. It’s the bullying we often overlook.

Rolling eyes. Whispering just loud enough to be heard. Leaving someone out on purpose. Talking behind someone’s back—especially online. These behaviors may not leave visible bruises, but they leave lasting emotional scars. And many moms are watching the toll it takes on their daughters, wondering: "What do I do?"

When your daughter is facing “mean girl” behavior, it’s hard to know when to step in—or how. At Texas Community Counseling, we’ve seen just how often families are navigating these social minefields without a map. That’s why we created Frenemies—an educational series where mothers and daughters can learn, connect, and grow stronger together.

Lessons from Session 1

Relational aggression is a form of bullying that uses relationships to hurt others—whether through exclusion, manipulation, rumor-spreading, or emotional threats. And unlike physical bullying, it often flies under the radar of adults and teachers.

Our first Frenemies session explored how often these behaviors happen. Mothers and their daughters asked themselves: “How often do I…”

• Whisper in front of someone?

• Ignore someone on purpose?

• Share a secret that wasn’t mine to share?

  
  

Did you answer more than once to any of these?

It’s easy to dismiss these as harmless, but even small actions can leave big emotional marks. That’s why conversations like these matter—they help us see our behavior clearly and choose differently.

Attendees reviewed the Relational Aggression Scale, which shows how these behaviors can escalate—from eye rolling and name-calling to cyberbullying and even physical violence​.

When Your Daughter Is Facing Mean Girl Behavior

One of the most powerful moments of our first session came when daughters and mothers filled out the Support Circle Worksheet—separately. Moms answered how they thought their daughters would respond to bullying situations, and daughters answered honestly. When they compared notes, there were surprises—and conversations that needed to happen.

Moms Need Support Too

We know this isn’t just about the girls. Moms often carry their daughters’ pain, trying to fix what they can’t always see. That’s why Frenemies is also a space for you—to gain tools, insight, and the encouragement of other moms walking the same path.

Whether your daughter is in the thick of a friendship crisis or just starting to feel the sting of exclusion, this space is for both of you.

Register for Frenemies to gain access to our private Facebook group, where you’ll find session worksheets, ongoing support, and a livestream of our next gathering.

TC Counseling is here to help.