Today, everyone is in everyone else’s business. You can’t even have a fight with a friend at school without everyone else getting involved.

When I was a kid and had a fight with a friend, we’d just go our separate ways. We’d let each other cool off for a while and then one of two things would happen. 1) After a few days we’d get over it and just pick up right where we left off before the fight. 2) We’d stop being friends and never talk to each other again.

It was so simple, really.

Today, not so much. Today, the “fight” would escalate until your entire circle of friends were involved and giving both parties advice on how to resolve the situation. First, you come home after the fight and call your BFF. She’ll tell you what she thinks. Then you will Skype your other BFF who will tell you what she thinks… something completely different than what the first BFF thought. Then, you will hear about it from every other friend you have, as well as the neighborhood kids and your sister’s friends. The little fight ends up turning into a major network news argument where everyone is wrong and there can’t be a good outcome no matter what you say or do.

Drama.

In a house full of daughters, we’ve got plenty.

One thing I’ve noticed from following my girls’ friends over the years is that people just don’t change. The kids who were mean in kindergarten… well… they are still mean. As a parent, it’s pretty easy for me to spot the good friends and the bad friends. Of course, it’s not always so easy to explain that to my kids. Unfortunately, it’s a part of life they need to figure out on their own. Except that with computers and cell phones you don’t even have a minute to think anymore before everyone else gets involved.

Yes, the olden days were so much easier on friendships. It might have been harder to hold on to them, but it was easier to let go.