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. 4d ago

    Friends punish her?! (River, Age 9)| 160

    Ep. 160- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Recognizing stop signs | 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 message does it send a friend if you ignore that friend’s stop sign? - Why do kids sometimes have trouble responding to stop signs from their friends? - Have you ever asked someone to stop and they didn’t listen? How did you feel? Why do you think they didn’t stop? How did you handle the situation? - Why is it not okay for friends to punish each other? How is punishment different from a logical consequence? (Hint: A logical consequence is the natural result of an action. For instance, if you are mean to a friend, the logical consequence is that the friend won’t want to be around you. If you blab a friend’s secret, the logical consequence is that friend won’t trust you with another secret. ) *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 43 - Friend cut her hair! (Beatrix, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/beatrix-age-8-friend-cuts-her-hair Ep. 41 - Friends won't listen to stop or no (Tessa, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tessa-age-9-boundaries Ep. 3 - Kid tries to wreck game (Noelle, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-4b8 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Friends punish her?! (River, Age 9)| 160

  2. Aug 22

    Losing her best friend! (Ellie, Age 10) | 159

    Ep. 159- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What to do when a friendship is fading | 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 kids’ friendships sometimes fall apart? - What would you do if you noticed a friend was suddenly acting more distant? - Why do friends sometimes refuse to tell you what’s wrong when there’s a problem between you? (Hint: What might they be afraid of?) - If a friend told you they were mad at you because of something you did, what could you do to make things better between you? What should you avoid doing in that situation? - What do you think it means to show up as your best self? Why is that important? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 151 - Why is it so hard to say, “I’m sorry”? (Minta, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep151-why-is-it-so-hard-to-say-im-sorry-minta-age-almost-10 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 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

    Losing her best friend! (Ellie, Age 10) | 159

  3. Aug 15

    A false story about him! (Erik, Age 7) | 158

    Ep. 158- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Truth, falsehood, and different perspectives | 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: - Students and teachers can have important and deeply caring relationships, but they can’t be friends. Why not? - What is the lesson of the story about three blind men describing an elephant? - How might understanding that different people can have different views about the same situation or event help you deal with a friendship rough spot? - Why do players in a sport agree to go along with what the umpire decides, even if they don’t agree? - Dr. Friendtastic said, “We can’t always win a game, but we can always win the fun.” How do you win the fun while playing with friends? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: 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. 140 - Friend lies and boasts (Martha, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep140-friend-lies-and-boasts-martha-age-9 Ep. 20 - Lying friend (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

    A false story about him! (Erik, Age 7) | 158

  4. Aug 8

    Will she lose her friends in a different classroom? (Lily, Age 11) | 157

    Ep. 157- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Staying connected when you're not together | 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 had a friend in a different classroom? What did you do to try to stay connected? Why is it sometimes hard for friends in different classrooms to stay close? - What are some things you do or would like to do with friends outside of school? - Why is it important to ask friends about what’s happening in their lives when you’re not around and tell them about what’s happening in your life when they’re not around? What’s the difference between being nosy and being an interested friend? - What do you think Dr. Friendtastic means when she suggests that Lily try to open-hearted? (Hint: She mentions Lily making other friends, and Lily’s friend making other friends.) *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 110 - Being apart from a friend (Matilda, Age 5) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep110-being-apart-from-a-friend-matilda-age5 Ep 120 - Best friend is playing with someone else (Metis, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep120-best-friend-playing-with-someone-else-metis-6-dutch Ep. 136. How long should you keep a friend (Matthew, Age 7) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-long-should-you-keep-a-friend Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Will she lose her friends in a different classroom? (Lily, Age 11) | 157

  5. Aug 1

    Friend’s new friend doesn’t like him (Ian, Age 11) | 156

    Ep. 156- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Having another friend isn't a betrayal | 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: - If you’re having a conflict with someone, do you think your friend has to be on your side, against the other kid? Why or why not? Why might your friend not want to take sides? - Have you ever been in a situation where another kid didn’t like you? Why didn’t they like you? How did you feel about them? How did things end up between you? - Dr. Friendtastic lists a bunch of things that could make the situation worse: Criticizing the friend’s other friend, acting grumpy around the friend, or insisting that the friend has to choose sides. Why are these NOT good options? (Hint: How is the friend likely to react?) - Why does Dr. Friendtastic encourage Ian to try to imagine the other kids’ feelings? (Hint: How might that be helpful for Ian?) Why does she focus on what Ian could do, rather than what the friend should do? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal   Ep. 84 - Torn between two friends who don’t like each other (Jennifer, Age 10)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep84-jennifer-age-10-torn-between-two-friends-who-dont-like-each-other  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

    Friend’s new friend doesn’t like him (Ian, Age 11) | 156

  6. Jul 25

    Friend is jealous and possessive (Miranda, Age 8) | 155

    Ep. 155 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding a balance between caring and freedom | 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 your favorite possession and why? Would you feel comfortable letting another kid use or borrow it? Why or why not? - What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says we can’t own friends? - Would you continue to be friends with someone who hit you? Why or why not? - Why do you think the friend felt upset when Miranda played with someone else? What could the friend have done to handle the situation better? - Have you ever worried that you might lose a friend to someone else? How did you handle that? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: 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   Ep. 121 - Close friend and new friend leave her out (Sara, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep121-close-friend-and-new-friend-leave-her-out-sara-age8 Ep. 17 - Balancing a best friend and another friend (Sophie, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sophie  Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

    Friend is jealous and possessive (Miranda, Age 8) | 155

  7. Jul 18

    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

  8. 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
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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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