Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health.
  • 4.7 (89)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a weekly, 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a practical and thought-provoking answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (aka Dr. Friendtastic,) an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. For transcripts and discussion questions: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. To submit a question: https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit. For parent resources: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com drfriendtastic.substack.com

  1. How to make a new friend (Aida, Age 9)

    3D AGO

    How to make a new friend (Aida, Age 9)

    Ep. 135 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Starting a friendship | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Think of a friend you know. How did your friendship begin? - If you want to make a new friend, why is it important to choose to reach out to someone who is a good candidate for friendship? What makes someone seem like a good friendship possibility? - What are some ways that you have shown friends (or potential friends) that you like them? - Why is it not a good idea to try to buy someone’s friendship by giving them money or your favorite things? - Why is it important to notice how people respond to your friendly actions? What might it mean if they respond positively? What might it mean if they respond negatively? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 72 - Making friends in a new school (Nora, Age 8)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep72-nora-age-8-making-friends-new-schl Ep. 73 - Best friend stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him Ep. 67: Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  2. Friends do more “mature” things than she does (Evie, Age 10)

    FEB 7

    Friends do more “mature” things than she does (Evie, Age 10)

    Ep. 134 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friends growing up too fast? | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Have you ever done something that made another kid not like you? What happened? How did you handle that? - What would you do if your friend group suddenly started being interested in inappropriate topics or activities? - Do you think your grown-ups are more strict, less strict, or about the same level of strictness compared to your friends’ parents? Why? - Why do you think adults try to limit kids’ exposure to “mature” content that is violent or focused on boyfriends and girlfriends? - What rules do you have to follow about electronic devices? If you were a parent, what rules would you have for your kid? Why? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 123 - How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep123-how-to-keep-friends-eva-age-6 Ep. 109 - What does it mean to be yourself? (Charlotte, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep109-what-does-it-mean-to-be-true-to-self-charlotte-age11 Ep. 89 - How to deal with an angry person (Noah, Age 7) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep89-noah-age-7-getting-in-trouble Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min
  3. Can he be friends with people who don’t like him? (John, Age 8)

    JAN 31

    Can he be friends with people who don’t like him? (John, Age 8)

    Ep. 133 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Say no to one-way friendships | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Have you ever done something that made another kid not like you? What happened? How did you handle that? - Why do you think kids sometimes want to be friends with kids who don’t like them? - How could trying to be friends with people who don’t like you end up hurting you? - We can’t be friends with everyone, but we do need to try to be kind to everyone. What do you think that means you should do (or not do) when you don’t like someone? - Have you ever met a kid who just didn’t appeal to you? What led to that dislike? Looking back, do you think you were fair, or are there ways you would have liked to handle things differently? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 38 - Wondering how to be popular (Richard, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/richard-age-11-wondering-how-to-be-popular Ep. 21 - Popularity is not the same as friendship (Eugene, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-21-eugene Ep. 20 - Why might a friend not tell you the truth? (Anna, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-20-anna Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    5 min
  4. Friend won’t talk about problem (Monet, Age 9)

    JAN 24

    Friend won’t talk about problem (Monet, Age 9)

    Ep. 132- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding the right words in a conflict | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Think of a recent conflict you had with a friend. What happened? How did you deal with it? Is there something you would like to do differently next time? - What are some reasons why a friend might not want to talk about a problem? - What does the statement “We can’t force someone to be friends with us” mean? - Why is saying or implying, “I’m good; you’re bad” not a helpful way to deal with conflict? What could you do instead? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 1 - Friendship ends over small thing (Naomi, Age 7)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1 Ep. 129 - Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep129-kindest-way-to-break-up-with-a-friend-audrey-age-9 Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  5. They have lots of playdates, and he doesn’t (Matthew, Age 7)

    JAN 17

    They have lots of playdates, and he doesn’t (Matthew, Age 7)

    Ep. 131 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Giving versus getting as a friend | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Have you ever wished you had more playdates? Who do you think you’d like to invite over? What would you like to do with them? - How is friendship different from a game? - Dr. Friendtastic said, “Positive and negative actions don’t have equal impact” on relationships. What does that mean? (Hint: How do kind or unkind actions affect a friendship?) - Why is a one-on-one get-together a good way to deepen a friendship? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 49 - Feeling different and rejected (Charlotte, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/charlotte-age-8-feeling-different Ep. 70 - Knowing when and how to stop (Owen, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep70-owen-age-8-stop-signals Ep. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min
  6. Should she quit the team? (Summer, Age 9)

    JAN 10

    Should she quit the team? (Summer, Age 9)

    Ep. 130 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Ways to contribute to a team | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Why do you think kids sometimes want to quit a sport or activity if they’re not instantly the best performer on the team? - What could you say to someone who wants to quit that might convince them to continue an activity? - When is it a good idea for kids to quit a sport or activity? - What is the difference between process and performance? They both matter, but which do you think is often most important? Why? - What can you do now that you weren’t able to do last year? How did you manage to improve your skills? - What are some ways to contribute to a team, besides scoring in a game? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 7 – Friend is a poor sport (Emma, Age 11)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep7-poor-sport-friend Ep. 75: Upset when he loses a game (Alex, age 10)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep75-alex-age-a10-upset-when-he-loses-a-game Ep. 125 - Not picked to play on the team (Charlie, Age 9)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep125-not-picked-to-play-on-team-charlie-age9 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  7. Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)

    JAN 3

    Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)

    Ep. 129 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Big friendship break-up, slow fade, or something else? | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Have you ever had a friendship end? What happened? Was it your choice, their choice, neither, or both? - If you were the friend being dumped, how would you want your former friend to handle it? - Dr. Friendtastic believes it’s very mean to suddenly refuse to speak with someone. What do you think? Why is this not a good way to handle friendship rough spots? - Why is it not a good idea to involve other people in a conflict between you and a friend? - How do you decide whether to try to work things out or end a friendship? (Hint: what might make you want to stay or go?) *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 127 - Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep127-friend-wants-space-sloane-age-6 Ep. 114 - Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friend-is-ignoring-her-emma-age-13 Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min

  8. 12/13/2025

    When you cry easily (Beth, Age 6)

    Ep. 128 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 5 Things to Do When You Feel Like Crying But Don't Want To | Friendship advice for kids Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast? SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.) For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/ Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Think of a time you cried recently. What triggered your tears? Were you alone or with others? If you were with others, how did they respond? - Everyone cries sometimes. What do you think are some good or not-so-good places to cry? Why? [Hint: Who’s around and how are they likely to respond?] - Have you ever tried to comfort a friend who was crying? What did you do? - Dr. Friendtastic mentioned 5 self-soothing strategies to use when you feel like crying but don’t want to cry. Which of these appeals to you? What other strategies might be helpful? - Research says that females tend to cry more often than males. Why do you think that is? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 102 - How to express your feelings with friends (Aida, Age 5) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep102-how-to-express-your-feelings-with-friends Ep. 97 - How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, age 5) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep97-how-and-why-to-understand-a-friends Ep. 5 - Friend doesn’t want what I want (Edith, age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-af3 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    8 min
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Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a weekly, 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a practical and thought-provoking answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (aka Dr. Friendtastic,) an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. For transcripts and discussion questions: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. To submit a question: https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit. For parent resources: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com drfriendtastic.substack.com

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