How far should parents or teachers step into friendships?

The balance is hard, and there's no single right answer. In common: the experience of children solving things among themselves matters, but adults need to be involved when there's danger, bullying, or the child keeps struggling. The basic is gradual: watch over, then bridge casually, then step in directly if needed. Even intervening should support the child's own involvement, not take over. What the family decides: how far to step in changes with the child's age, situation, and your views. A guide: "is the child struggling?" "is safety maintained?" "am I proceeding without the child?" It's fine to choose both watching and supporting, case by case.