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 (92)
  • 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. 1d ago

    Friends say she’s bossy, but they’re bossy (Lola, Age 8) | 154

    Ep. 154 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Listen to be heard | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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: - What’s the difference between being bossy and being a leader? What are some not-so-good ways that kids might try to get another kid to do what they want? What could they do instead? Why is an “I” statement easier for people to hear than a “You” accusation? What does it mean to look for agreement rather than control with friends? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 149 Friends aren’t listening to her! (Bella, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep149-friends-arent-listening-to-her-bella-age-10 Ep. 126 - How to have a conversation - for kids https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/replay-ep126-how-to-have-a-conversation-for-kids Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Friends say she’s bossy, but they’re bossy (Lola, Age 8) | 154

  2. Jul 11

    Not invited to the sleepover! (Jim, Age 12) | Ep. 153

    Ep. 153 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Don't give up a good friendship because it's not perfect | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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: - What is the difference between not invited versus excluded? Why does that difference matter? (Hint: Think about the intention of the host.) - What are some non-mean reasons why you might do something with one friend but not another? - Why is it not a good idea to yell at someone for not inviting you? - All-or-nothing thinking means believing something has to be perfect or it’s worthless. Why is this not a useful way to think about friendship? - Dr. Friendtastic said, “What your friends do when you’re not around is not your concern.” What does that mean? Do you agree? Why or why not? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 4 - One friend feels left out (Thomas, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-71f Ep. 51 - Mean comment said behind her back (Saoirse, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/saoirse-age-8-mean-comment-said-behind Ep. 26 - Friendship doesn’t have to be all or nothing (Abigail, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-26-abigail Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Not invited to the sleepover! (Jim, Age 12) | Ep. 153

  3. Jul 4

    How to be a good friend | re-release Ep. 42

    Re-release Ep. 42 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 4 Areas of Friendship | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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: - What are some ways that you are a good friend? (Hint: what do you do to show your friends you like and care about them?) - Why is it sometimes hard to be a good friend? - Thinking about the different friendship areas Dr. Friendtastic highlighted, fun, support, closeness, and handling conflicts, which do you think is the hardest to do well? Why? - What could you do to try to become an even better friend? (Think about all the areas and questions mentioned in the podcast episode.) *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason. Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down Ep 136 - How long should you keep a friend (Matthew, Age 7) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-long-should-you-keep-a-friend Ep. 124 - How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep124-how-to-join-kids-playing-amelia-age9 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    How to be a good friend | re-release Ep. 42

  4. Jun 27

    How to reconnect with old friends (Georgia, Age 10) | 152

    Ep. 152 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why reaching out to former friends is scary and also kind | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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: - What are some reasons why friends might fall out of touch (even if they still live nearby)? - Do you have any old friends you’ve lost touch with? Would you want to reconnect with them? Why or why not? How could you reach out to them? How do you think they’d respond? - How would you respond if an old friend you hadn’t heard from in a while reached out to you? - To expand your friendship circle, you could make new friends or reach out to old friends you haven’t connected with in a while. Which do you think is easier? Why? - Why do you think kids are sometimes reluctant to reach out to old friends? What could you say to a friend to encourage them to reach out to their former friends? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 82 - Expand friend group without hurting best friend (Paa, Age 12) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep82-paa-age-12-expand-friend-group-without-hurting-best-friend Ep. 71 - Is she a friend or not? (Tali, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep71-tali-age-11-is-she-a-friend-or-not 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

    How to reconnect with old friends (Georgia, Age 10) | 152

  5. Jun 20

    Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry”? (Minta, Age almost 10) | 151

    Ep. 151 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: An apology is an expression of caring | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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: - Is it hard or easy for you to apologize? Why? Why do you think kids sometimes struggle to apologize? - Think of a time when you apologized to someone. How did you feel? How did that person respond? - Think of a time when you wanted someone to apologize to you. What happened? Did they apologize? How did you feel? - Why does Dr. Friendtastic suggest, “The person who is least wrong should apologize first”? - Sometimes people say, “An apology isn’t good enough!” What do you think they might be looking for beyond the words “I’m sorry”? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11 Ep. 91 - Arguments with a friend (Kenna & Scarlett, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep91-kenna-and-scarlett-age-8-arguments-with-a-friend Ep. 14 - Feeling guilty, wanting to make up with a friend (Rowan, Age 12) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-14-rowan Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry”? (Minta, Age almost 10) | 151

  6. Jun 13

    Celebrating 150 episodes!!!

    Ep. 150 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Puzzlers about conflict | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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: - What do you think would happen if you put 150 penguins on two school buses? - Why is it a good idea to try to be friendly with your friend’s other friends? - What does it mean to “assume good intent”? How can this help a friendship? - Why is it important to help your friends understand what you think, feel, or need? - Which is easier for you to move past, when you make a mistake with a friend or when a friend makes a mistake with you? Why? Why is it important to be able to move past both types of mistakes? (Hint: How could it hurt a friendship if you hold onto either resentment or guilt?) *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 33 - Richard, Age 11: Best ways to show empathy https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-33-richard Ep. 86 - Sally, Age 14: How to know if you can trust a friend? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep86-sally-age-14-how-to-know-if-you-can-trust-a-friend Ep. 100 - Celebrating Episode 100!!! https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep100-celebrating Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Celebrating 150 episodes!!!

  7. Jun 6

    Friends aren’t listening to her! (Bella, Age 10) | Ep. 149

    Ep. 149 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to make yourself heard | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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 felt like a friend wasn’t hearing you? How did you handle it? - Why is listening an important part of friendship? - What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says, “The lounder you yell, the harder it is for people to hear you”? - What is a Yes-No argument? Why do you think kids sometimes get stuck in those? What could they do instead? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 97 - How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, Age 7) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep97-how-and-why-to-understand-a-friends Ep. 78 - How to confront a friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep78-how-to-confront-a-friend Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Friends aren’t listening to her! (Bella, Age 10) | Ep. 149

  8. May 30

    Understanding a friend’s feelings (Anna, Age 7) | Ep. 148

    Ep. 148 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 7 clues to figure out how a friend feels | Friendship advice for kids FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/ Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com. 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 is it important to try to understand how a friend is feeling? - What are the seven clues that can tell us how someone is feeling? - Think about a time when someone didn’t understand how you were feeling. How did you handle that situation? - Some people are better than others at communicating about their feelings. Think of the people you know. Whose feelings are easiest to understand? Whose are hardest to guess? Why? *** 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. 33 - Best ways to show empathy (Richard, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-33-richard Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Understanding a friend’s feelings (Anna, Age 7) | Ep. 148
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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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