What kind of strategy is suitably respectful but assertive with the parents of those friends, though?
(Right now, this is an issue with a boyfriend and his parents, so that is why I ask.)
Soooooo difficult when a child/teen is being slyly chastised by an adult. The rules of conduct say that a teen should bite his/her tongue lest he is seen as disrespectful. I talk with my teens about when you DO have to be passive to a conflict because of authority issues (principal, police).
If it is occuring in front of you, I think you have every right as a parent to assert for your child by calling the other parents out on it (even if it's when the teens are conveniently on a walk...). If it's when you are not there, I think it is would be something that the BF needs to address with his parents.
I guess I'm likening it to "in-law" rules: You deal with your people; I'll deal with mine."
So tough. I was not liked by my future mother-in-law for a myriad of reasons, and it really did effect my self-esteem.
