Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each 5-minute episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid plus an answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (also known as Dr. Friendtastic,) who is an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. To submit a question, go to https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. drfriendtastic.substack.com
The Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast is an absolute gem for parents and kids alike. Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore provides a much-needed resource that addresses the friendship challenges and concerns that children often face. This podcast has become a staple in our household, as we listen to it on the way to school every week. Both my 10-year-old and 8-year-old girls are attentive listeners and benefit greatly from the practical advice offered by Dr. Kennedy-Moore.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is how approachable and relatable the topics are. Dr. Kennedy-Moore has a remarkable ability to make complex issues simple for children to understand. Whether you have a tween or a kindergartener, there is something for everyone in this podcast. The kids' questions add an authentic touch, and Dr. Kennedy-Moore's kind and helpful advice resonates with both children and adults alike.
Furthermore, I appreciate how Dr. Kennedy-Moore incorporates research-based advice into her responses. She truly understands the friendship challenges that our kids face today and provides guidance that develops their confidence while equipping them with tools that will benefit them well into adulthood. From her book "Growing Friendships" to her webinars, newsletters, and now this podcast, she consistently delivers practical solutions that parents can rely on.
On the downside, this podcast is still relatively new, so there are only a few episodes available at the moment. However, I am hopeful that more material will be released soon because each episode tackles real-world situations that children encounter on a daily basis.
In conclusion, The Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast is an invaluable resource for parents, caregivers, and anyone involved in working with children. It offers relatable content delivered in a professional manner by Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore herself who truly understands kids' feelings and concerns about friendships. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone seeking practical and research-based advice for navigating the challenges of childhood friendships.
Ep. 99 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What happens after a friend does something mean? | Friendship advice for kidsRosetta wants to know what to do when the girl she considers her best friend does something seriously unkind.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 tell friends what you're thinking or feeling (even if you think it's obvious)?- What are some reasons why you might want to forgive a friend who does something bad to you?- Dr. Friendtastic suggests thinking about two questions after a friend does something you don't like: 1) What do you think is likely to happen from now on? and 2) Is there anything you could do to make the problem less likely to happen?- How might these questions help you decide whether to continue a friendship?- Would you enjoy having a sword fight with a friend using pool noodles? Why or why not?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 87 - People passing notes about her (Leni, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep87-leni-age-9-people-passing-notes-about-herEp. 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-himEp. 28 - Dealing with spill-over anger (Avni, Age 11)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-28-avni Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 98 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship group drama | Friendship advice for kidsJessica wants to join a friend group, not not everyone is welcoming.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 groups you belong to? What do you have in common with other group members? Is it easy or hard for new people to join those groups? - Why do you think kids sometimes don't want new people to join their friendship group? (Hint: What might they be afraid could happen?) - Would you rather be in a friendship group where everyone is equal or where you get to be the boss? Why? - What qualities make some kids more powerful than others in a friendship group? In other words, why do other kids let certain kids be “in charge”? How could building up one-on-one friendships help you join a group?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 8 - Excluded by friends (Blake, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-1b6 Ep. 9 - Told she can't play (Ava, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep9 Ep. 60 - Friends invited but not him (Henry, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-drfriendtastic-ep60-henry-age-8 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 97 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The platinum rule | Friendship advice for kidsZoya wants to know how to understand her friends' feelings. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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:- Do you think it's easier to notice when your friends are having positive feelings or negative feelings? Why?- What are some reasons why it's important to try to understand other people's feelings?- Why is it sometimes hard to tell how a friend is feeling? What are some clues that could help you figure this out?- Why is the Platinum Rule even kinder than the Golden Rule?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 3 - Kid tries to wreck game (Noelle, Age 10)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-4b8Ep. 86 - How to know if you can trust a friend (Sally, Age 14)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep86-sally-age-14-how-to-know-if-you-can-trust-a-friendEp. 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 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 96 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Moving past a Yes-No argumentGrace's friend sometimes bosses her around! What can she do?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 act in bossy ways?- Why is it okay if a parent or teacher tells you what to do but annoying if another kid tells you what to do?- What is a Yes-No Argument? Why is it not useful? - What are some ways to present your ideas without coming across as bossy?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kaiEp. 83 - Fights with close friends (Eloise, Age 8)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/eloise-age-8-fights-with-close-friendsEp. 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 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 95 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 3 types of embarrassmentSara wishes she could never feel embarrassed!FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 when you felt embarrassed. What happened? How did you handle it?- What does it mean to “own your mistakes”? What is one way to do this?- Why is it sometimes uncomfortable for kids to be the center of attention? (Hint: What might they be afraid will happen?)- Why is it important not to argue or make excuses if someone gives you a compliment? What should you do instead?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 22 - Managing your social reputation (Scarlet, Age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-22-scarlettEp. 52 - Friend's parents don't like him (Tyler, Age 12)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tyler-age-12-friends-parents-dontEp. 49 - Feeling different and rejected (Charlotte, Age 8)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/charlotte-age-8-feeling-different Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 94 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Two questions to ask yourself before discussing a problem with a friend.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 when you felt mad at a friend. How did you handle it? How did your friend respond?- What are some reasons why it's not a good idea to yell at a friend, even if you're mad?- Why is not speaking at all a bad way to solve friendship problems?- How can talking to other kids about a problem with a friend make a problem bigger? How is that different than asking an adult for advice?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 78 - How to confront a friendhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep78-how-to-confront-a-friendEp. 24 - Fake friends versus real friends (Olivia, age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-24-oliviaEp. 57 - Avoiding conflict (Zen, age 6)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep57-zen-age-6-avoiding-conflict Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 94 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What we can control and what we can'tAlice wonders what to do when her good friend doesn't invite her to a party.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 and webinars 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 left out? What happened? How did you handle it? - Why is it hard to try to imagine someone else's point of view when we're mad at them? Why is it important to do that anyway? - Dr. Friendtastic mentioned some reasons why Alice's friend might not have invited her, such as a small guest list or a recent argument. What are some other possible reasons the friend might not have invited her? - If you were in Alice's situation, and a good friend didn't invite you to a party, would that be a friendship ender for you or do you think you would try to work things out? *** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 52 - Tyler, Age 12: Friend's parents don't like him https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tyler-age-12-friends-parents-dont Ep. 24 - Olivia, Age 13: Some friendships have limits https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-24-olivia Ep. 90 - Alma, Age 7: Friend breaks a promise https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep90-alma-age-7-friend-breaks-a-promise Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 92 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Supportive vs. unsupportive responses to a sad friend Mason wants to know what to say to a friend who is feeling down that won't make the friend feel worse! 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 and webinars 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 when you were feeling down and someone tried to comfort you. What did they do? How did it make you feel? - Why is saying, “I had something even worse happen to me!” not usually a caring thing to say? - Dr. Friendtastic says, “Any advice that begins with the words, “You should just…” is probably wrong.” Do you agree? Why or why not? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 90 - Alma, Age 7: Friend breaks a promise https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep90-alma-age-7-friend-breaks-a-promise 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. 73 - J.J., Age 11: Best friend stops playing with him 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
Ep. 91 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: This important assumption helps you move past a friendship rough spot Kenna and Scarlett, who want to know what to do when they start arguing. 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 and webinars 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 an argument that you had with a friend recently. How did you resolve it? Was the solution fair to both of you? Why or why not? - Why do you think friends sometimes argue more than nonfriends? - Dr. Friendtastic said, “The louder you yell, the harder it is for people to hear you.” What does that mean? (Hint: How do other people feel if you yell at them?) - How could telling your friend (honestly) “That makes sense” or “I can see why that matters to you” help the two of you resolve an argument? (Hint: what do you need to do before you can say statements like that?) *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 90 - Alma, Age 7: Friend breaks a promisehttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep90-alma-age-7-friend-breaks-a-promiseEp. 86 - Sally, Age 14: How to know if you can trust a friendhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep86-sally-age-14-how-to-know-if-you-can-trust-a-friendEp. 73 - J.J., Age 11: Best friend stops playing with himhttps://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
Ep. 90 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why friends sometimes let us downAlma wants to know what to do about a friend who broke her promiseFREE 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 and webinars 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 the three steps of the angry person formula?- Why is it a good idea to show someone who is angry with you that you understand (at least part of) their concern? (Hint: How are they likely to respond?)- What do you think is likely to happen if you argue with someone who is angry with you and tell them all the things they do wrong?- The last part of the angry person formula is about putting your words into action. Why is that important? (Hint: What does it show the angry person?)- Think of a time when you were angry with someone. How did they respond? How do you wish they had responded? *** You might also like these podcast episodes: Ep. 5 - Edith, Age 8: Friend doesn't do what I want https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-af3 Ep. 10 - Isaac, Age 7.5: Friend is disrespectful https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-10-isaac Ep. 83 - Eloise, Age 8: Fights with close friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/eloise-age-8-fights-with-close-friends Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 89 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to deal with an angry personNoah is frustrated that he got in trouble. How can he handle it?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 the three steps of the angry person formula?- Why is it a good idea to show someone who is angry with you that you understand (at least part of) their concern? (Hint: How are they likely to respond?)- What do you think is likely to happen if you argue with someone who is angry with you and tell them all the things they do wrong?- The last part of the angry person formula is about putting your words into action. Why is that important? (Hint: What does it show the angry person?)- Think of a time when you were angry with someone. How did they respond? How do you wish they had responded?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 52 - Tyler, Age 12: Friend's parents don't like himhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tyler-age-12-friends-parents-dontEp. 78 - How to confront a friendhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep78-how-to-confront-a-friendEp. 28 - Avni, Age 11: Dealing with spill-over angerhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-28-avni Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 88 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Practical support, emotional support, and the importance of on-going support.Sophia wants to know how to support a friend who has broken her leg.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 when you were dealing with something difficult and a friend supported you. What did your friend do? How did it make you feel?- What are some ways you have given practical support to a friend?- What are some ways you have given emotional support to a friend?- Why is it a good idea to ask a friend what kind of support they want?- What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says, “Don't disappear!” when a friend needs support? (Hint: How would a friend feel if they get lots of support at first but then that support fades, even though the stressful situation continues?)*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 24 - Olivia, Age 13: Some friendships have limits https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-24-oliviaEp. 33 - Richard, Age 11: Best ways to show empathyhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-33-richardEp. 37 - Saanvi, Age 12: What's the right gift for a friend?https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/saanvi-age-12-whats-the-right-gift Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 87 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Figuring out what we can and can't control.Leni feels hurt and angry that kids are passing notes about her. What can she do?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 pass notes about other kids?- What are some reasons why Leni does NOT have to know what's in the notes about her? (Hint: How would she feel if she read a mean note about her?)- Dr. Friendtastic says, “We can't control what other people do.” What are some things you CAN control in your interactions with other kids?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 76 – Ayana, Age 10: Friends ditch herhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep76-anaya-age-10-friends-ditch-herEp. 51 - Saorise, Age 8: Mean comment said behind her backhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/saoirse-age-8-mean-comment-said-behindEp. 35 - Ryan, Age 11: Peer put down his interestshttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ryan-age-11-peers-put-down-his-interests Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 86 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What makes a trustworthy friend?Sally wants to know how she can tell if a friend is trustworthy.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 thought that a friend betrayed your trust? What happened? How did you handle it?- What are some things you do to show your friends that they can trust you?- Why do you think kids sometimes blab their friend's secrets? - What should you do if you accidentally tell another kid something that your friend wanted to keep private?- Dr. Friendtastic said, “It takes courage to trust someone, especially if you've been burned before.” Why is it sometimes hard to trust people? Why is trusting people important for building close friendships*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 84 - Eloise, age 8: Fights with close friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/eloise-age-8-fights-with-close-friendsEp. 79 - Mar, age 11: Is your friend a fake friend?https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep79-mar-age-11-is-your-friend-a-fake-friendEp. 81 - Nicoletta, age 14: Friend's secret could harm https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep81-nicoletta-age-14-friends-secret-could-harm Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 85 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: No friend group has more power than you. Nev wonders what her mom means when she says, "No friend group has more power than you."FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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:- Would you rather hang out with just one friend or a group of friends? Why? - What are some ways that friend groups might influence you?- Why is it sometimes hard for kids to stand up for what they want in a friendship group? (Hint: What might they be afraid could happen?)- Dr. Friendtastic says that hiding how you feel can be unfair to you and to your friends. How is it unfair to you? How is it unfair to your friends?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 76 - Ayana, age 10: Friends ditch herhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep76-anaya-age-10-friends-ditch-herEp. 64 - Blake, age 13: Make friends with different interestshttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep64-blakeEp. 48 - Lily, age 6: New friend claims to be best friendhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/lily-age-6-new-friend-claims-to-be-best-friend Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 84 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with a friendship tug-of-war.Jennifer wants to know what to do when two friends who don't like each other each want to be her partner.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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:- A friendship tug-of-war happens when two friends each try to pull a friend in the middle to their side. How do you think the friends on each end feel? (Hint: Why are they pulling?) How do you think the friend in the middle feels?- If you were in Jennifer's situation, and two friends who didn't like each other both wanted to partner with you, would you choose to work with one, work with both, or work with neither? Why would you choose that option?- Do you prefer to pick your own partner for school projects or have the teacher assign partners? Why?- What do you think are the qualities of a good work partner? Do you believe that you are a good work partner? Why or why not?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 13 - Mara, age 9: Friend doesn't want her to have other friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-13-maraEp. 17 - Sophie, age 10: Balancing a best friend and another friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sophieEp. 47 - Brayden, age 9: Why are friends important? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/brayden-age-9-why-are-friends-important Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 83 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to make conflict less frequent and less painful.Eloise wonders why best friends have bad fights.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 big argument with a close friend? What happened?- What do you think are some common topics friends argue about?- What does it mean to “assume good intentions”? Why is this an important thing to do in a friendship?- Why do you think kids sometime have trouble asking friends for what they want or need?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 1 - Naomi, age 7: Friendship ends over small thing https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1Ep. 53 - Lillian, age 11: How to stay calm when someone is bragging https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/lillian-age-11-how-to-stay-calm-whenEp. 73 - J.J., age 11: Best friend suddenly stops playing with him 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
Ep. 82 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to make new friends and keep the old. Paa wants to expand her friend group but how can she do that without hurting her best friend?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 tried to expand your friend group? What did you do? How did it work?- Dr. Friendtastic said that the easiest and kindest way Paa could expand her friend group is to invite her current best friend to be part of that goal. Why do you think that might be a good option?- Why is inviting someone to do something fun with you outside of where you normally see them a good way to deepen a friendship? (Hint: What does that show them about how you feel about them?) - What are some ways you could show a friend that they matter to you?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 4 - Thomas, Age 13: One friend feels left out https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-71f Ep. 13 - Mara, Age 9: Friend doesn't want her to have other friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-13-mara Ep. 67 - Paul, Age 12: Choosing good friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 81 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Knowing when to tell an adult Nicoletta is worried about what to do when a friend begs her to keep a secret that could harm the friend.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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:- Tattling means trying to get someone in trouble. Telling means talking to an adult to prevent someone from being hurt or something from being broken. If Nicoletta decides to tell an adult about her friend's secret, is that tattling or telling? Why?- If you were in a situation like Nicoletta's, who are the trusted adults in your life that you could go to for help?- Why do kids sometimes NOT want to go to an adult when they're having a serious problem? (Hint: Why do you imagine Nicoletta's friend begged her not to tell her secret to anyone?)- What could Nicoletta say to her friend if the friend gets mad at her for telling?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 1 - Naomi, Age 7: Friendship ends over small thing https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1Ep. 6 - Jayden, Age 9: Wondering why kids bully https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep6-why-kids-bullyEp. 78 - How to confront a friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep78-how-to-confront-a-friend Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 80 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with a manipulative friendLaina wonders how to deal with a manipulative friend. But what does that even mean?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 who tried to get you to do something you didn't want to do? What did the friend do? How did you handle it?- What's the difference between trying to manipulate someone and trying to influence them?- Why is it NOT a good idea to tell someone that they're a bad person? What could you do instead?- Why is it useful to try to imagine someone else's perspective, even (or especially) if you're mad at them?- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Your friend can't actually MAKE you do anything you don't want to do.” What does that mean?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 65 - Bridget, Age 14: Handling a controlling friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep65-bridget-age-14 Ep. 10 - Isaac, Age 7.5: Friend is disrespectful https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-10-isaac Ep. 15 - Evie, Age 9: What is a close friend? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-15-evie Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 79 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Is your friend a fake friend?Mar wants to know how to recognize a fake friend.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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:- How would you define “being fake”? Why do you think kids sometimes act in ways that don't match what they really think or feel?- Why do kids sometimes act differently in different situations or with different people? Why is this NOT the same as being fake?- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Every friendship, if it lasts long enough, is going to hit a rough spot.” What do you think are some good ways to move past a friendship rough spot?- Have you ever had an unreliable friend–someone you felt you couldn't count on? How did you handle this?- What does it mean to trust a friend? Can you trust a friend who makes a mistake and says or does something unkind? Why or why not?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 24 - Olivia, Age 13: Some friendships have limits https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-24-olivia Ep. 26 - Sam, Age 13: Joining a new group of friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sam Ep. 34 - Chloe, Age 9: Upset by name-calling https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/chloe-age-9-upset-by-name-calling Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 78 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to confront a friend.What can you say when a friend does something that upsets you? How do you get your message across without wrecking the friendship?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars 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 does it mean to confront a friend about a problem? Have you ever had to do that? What happened?- How do you decide when to confront a friend about a problem and when to let it go? - Why do you think kids are sometimes afraid to confront a friend about a problem?- Why are refusing to talk to a friend and telling everyone except your friend what your friend did wrong NOT helpful strategies for solving a problem with a friend? What could you do instead?- Dr. Friendtastic said, “A good confrontation is not about…proving you're good and they're bad! It's about building and repairing a friendship.” What does that mean?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 73 - J.J., Age 11: Best friend suddenly stops playing with him https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him Ep. 43 - Beatrix, Age 8: Friend cuts her hair! https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/beatrix-age-8-friend-cuts-her-hair Ep. 65 - Bridget, Age 14: Handling a controlling friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep65-bridget-age-14 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 77 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: A friend is not a birthday cake!Maya wonders what to do when she notices her friend being nicer to someone else than to her. Scroll down for discussion questions.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus online workshop announcements.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Dr. Friendtastic says, “A friend is not a birthday cake!” What does she mean by that? (Hint: Think about the difference between dividing a cake versus sharing a friend.)- Have you ever felt jealous of a friend's other friend? How did you handle that?- What are some things you do to strengthen your friendships? - Why does Dr. Friendtastic say, “It's not smart to have a ‘best friends or nothing' attitude”? How could that attitude hurt you?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep 71 – Tali, Age 11 Is she a friend or not? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep71-tali-age-11-is-she-a-friend-or-not Ep. 4 - Thomas, Age 13: One friend feels left out https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-71f Ep. 51 – Saoirse, Age 8: Mean comment said behind her back https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/saoirse-age-8-mean-comment-said-behind Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 0 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: TrailerWelcome! Each episode of the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (in grades K-8), plus a practical and thought-provoking answer.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 easy-to-read TRANSCRIPTS, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email!SAMPLE EPISODES:Ep. 44 – Vera, Age 8: Change self to make friends?https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/vera-age-8-change-self-to-make-friendsEp. 57 – Zen, Age 6: Avoiding Conflicthttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep57-zen-age-6-avoiding-conflictEp. 55 – Blaire, Age 12: Say no without feeling badhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/blaire-age-12-say-no-without-feeling Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 76 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Not signing up for more of the sameAnaya wonders what to do when friends leave her behind. Scroll down for discussion questions.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus online workshop announcements.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- How do you think Ayana felt when the other kids ditched her? Has anything like that ever happened to you? How did you handle it?- Dr. Friendtastic says telling on the kids who ditched her probably won't be helpful for Ayana. Do you agree? Why or why not? How do you decide when it's a good idea to tell on someone?- Mistakes and misunderstandings happen in every friendship. How do you decide whether to try to work things out with old friends or look for different friends?- Dr. Friendtastic says, “We can't control what other people do; we can only control what we do.” What does this mean in Ayana's case? (Hint: Can she make the other kids want to play with her?)*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 60 – Henry, Age 8: Friends invited but not him https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-drfriendtastic-ep60-henry-age-8Ep. 74 – Aubrey, Age 6: Friend hits her https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep74-aubrey-age-6-friend-hits-herEp. 69 – Phoebe, Age 6: Friends exclude her https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/phoebe-age-6-friends-get-together Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 75 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Learning to be a good sportLike a lot of kids, Alex has trouble coping with losing a game.Scroll down for discussion questions.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus online workshop announcements.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Why do you think some kids have trouble handling losing a game? (Hint: How does losing make them think or feel?)- What would you say to comfort a friend who was upset about losing a game- Adults often tell kids, “It's not whether you win or lose; it's how you play the game.” What do you think that means?- What are some things kids need to do or not do to be a good sport?- What is your favorite game to play? What do you like about that game?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 7 – Emma, Age 11: Friend is a poor sport https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep7-poor-sport-friend Ep. 53 – Lillian, Age 11: How to stay calm when someone is bragging https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/lillian-age-11-how-to-stay-calm-when Ep. 66 – Adeline, Age 8: Friends don't invite her https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/adeline-age-8-friends-dont-invite Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 74 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: End a friendship or work it out?Aubrey wants to know what to do about a friend who hits her.Scroll down for discussion questions.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus online workshop announcements.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- School-age kids know they shouldn't hit people, so why do you think they sometimes do?- If someone hits you, why is hitting them back likely to make the situation worse? What could you do instead?- If a friend did something you didn't like, how would you decide whether to try to talk about it and work things out or end the friendship?- Dr. Friendtastic said, “The best time to talk about a problem is when people are NOT extremely upset.” Why is that true? (Hint: What's likely to happen if you try to talk to someon about a problem when you or they are extremely upset?)*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 59 – Jessie, Age 13: Get rid of toxic friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep59-jessie-age-13 Ep. 6 – Jayden, Age 9: Why do kids bully? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep6-why-kids-bully Ep. 62 – All About Forgiveness https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep62-all-about-forgiveness Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 73 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: A fast (but not easy) way to repair a friendship riftJ.J. feels hurt, angry, and confused because the kid he considered his best friend suddenly refuses to play with him.Scroll down for discussion questions.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus online workshop announcements.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Why is suddenly cutting someone off and refusing to speak with them NOT a good way to deal with conflicts?- Why does Dr. Friendtastic focus on what J.J. can do to move forward rather than what J.J.'s best friend did wrong? (Hint: Whose actions is J.J. in charge of?)- Have you ever apologized to a friend? If so, why? How did the friend respond?- Why is it sometimes hard for kids to apologize?- What are some ways to apologize well? What are some examples of a not-so-good apology?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 68 – Maya, Age 6: Friend runs away from her https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/maya-age-6-friend-runs-away-from Ep. 60 – Henry, Age 8: Friends invited but not him https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-drfriendtastic-ep60-henry-age-8 Ep. 71 – Tali, Age 11: Is she a friend or not? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep71-tali-age-11-is-she-a-friend-or-not Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 72 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Making Friends at a New SchoolNora wants to know what she can do to make friends when she's starting at a new school.Scroll down for discussion questions.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Think of a time when you started a friendship. What happened? Who reached out first, you or the other kid? How did you and your friend show each other that you were open to friendship?- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Friendships take time to grow.” What does that mean? (Hint: Why do you NOT have to worry if you're not instantly close friends with someone?)- What's one example of something kind you've done for another kid? How did that kid react?- Why is it usually not a good idea to read a book at lunch or recess? (Hint: What message does that send other kids?)- Why is it important to try to learn other kids' names?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 63 - Rosie, age 5 3/4: Friend wants all her attention https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep63-rosie-age-5 Ep. 16 - Sam, age 13: Joining a new group of friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sam Ep. 44 - Vera, age 8: Change self to make friends? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/vera-age-8-change-self-to-make-friends Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 71 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with a Hot-and-Cold FriendTali is trying to figure out whether a friend who runs hot-and-cold–sometimes kind, sometimes unkind–is really her friend. Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- How does a close friendship differ from a casual friendship?- Why do you think kids sometimes stick with a not-so-kind friend?- What does it mean to you to be a “Steady-Warm Friend”?- Everybody makes mistakes. How would you decide if a friendship is worth continuing after a friend does something you don't like?- What are some ways you could use good communication to handle a friendship rough spot or conflict? *** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 1 - Naomi, age 7: Friendship ends over small thing https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1 Ep. 67 - Paul, age 12: Choosing good friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who Ep. 15 - Evie, age 9: What is a close friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-15-evie Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 70 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Sending and receiving Stop SignalsOwen asks about Stop Signals, which are all the verbal and nonverbal ways people tell someone to stop. Sending and receiving Stop Signals effectively can protect a friendship!Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Why are Stop Signals important for protecting friendships? (Hint: What could happen if you want a friend to stop doing something, but you don't say anything? What could happen if your friend gives you a Stop Signal and you ignore it?) - Describe a time when a friend asked you to stop doing something. How did you feel about being asked to stop? How did you respond? - Describe a time when you wanted a friend to stop doing something. How did you handle it? How did your friend respond?- Why do you think kids sometimes ignore Stop Signals?- What are some things you could do if you ask someone to stop but they don't listen? *** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 41 - Tessa, Age 9: Friends won't listen to stop or no https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tessa-age-9-boundaries Ep. 18 – Kai, Age 9: Friends call him bossy https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai Ep. 43 - Beatrix, Age 8: Friend cut her hair! https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/beatrix-age-8-friend-cuts-her-hair Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 69 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Is an imperfect friendship worth keeping?Phoebe feels excluded when her friends hang out without her.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever felt left out? How did you handle it?- Why is it unfair (and unkind) to insist, “I'll only be your friend if you never do anything without me!”?- Why is it sometimes worth keeping an imperfect friendship with someone who is usually kind and fun?- Dr. Friendtastic said that doing activities together, inviting someone over, or saying, “I'd love to do that with you sometime!” could be good ways to deepen a friendship. What have you done to try to become closer friends with someone?- Why might adding a fourth friend to the group be helpful?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 26 - Abigail, Age 10 - Friendship doesn't have to be all or nothing https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-26-abigail Ep. 8 - Blake, Age 11: Excluded by friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-1b6Ep. 66 - Adeline, Age 8: Friends don't invite her https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/146810575/b3524087ba7d2f24c11daf518984e212.mp3 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 68 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Avoiding the demand-withdraw patternMaya wonders how to handle a friend who runs away and ignores her.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever been in a situation like Maya's, where someone was running away from you? Have you ever run away from someone? What happened? - Why does Dr. Friendtastic suggest NOT chasing a friend who is running away (unless it's a fun game of tag!)? (Hint: What should you look for in a friendship?)- Why do you think kids sometimes avoid discussing problems? How might that hurt a friendship? What could friends do to make problem discussions easier? (Hint: What are things you could say or avoid saying to make a conflict less painful?)- Why might it be a good idea for the person who is LEAST wrong to apologize first?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 32 - Tara, Age 12: Friend is pulling away https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-32-taraEp. 45 - Reid, Age 5: Gets angry at classmates https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/reid-age-5-gets-angry-at-classmatesEp. 60 - Henry, Age 8: Friends invited but not him https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-drfriendtastic-ep60-henry-age-8 Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 67 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Peer pressure vs. peer influencePaul asks how to find the right friends to surround himself with.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- What are some ways that you've been influenced by your friends? Do you think that influence has been positive (good for you) or negative (bad for you)? Why? - Have you ever been in a situation where a friend tried to pressure you to do something you didn't want to do? What happened?- What three words would you use to describe the five (or so) friends you spend the most time with? Do you think those three words also describe you? Why or why not?- Dr. Friendtastic said, “However your friends might influence or even pressure you, you're in charge of deciding what's the right thing for you to do.” What does that mean?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 16 - Sam, Age 13: Joining a new group of friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sam Ep. 36 - Ann, Age 9: Dealing with peer pressure https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ann-age-9-dealing-with-peer-pressure Ep. 43 - Beatrix, Age 8: Friend cut her hair! https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/beatrix-age-8-friend-cuts-her-hair Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 66 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What's behind a friend wanting to control you?Adeline wishes her friends would invite her to play during recess, but she doesn't have to wait for an invitation.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever had a controlling friend? If so, why do you think your friend was trying to control you? How did you handle it?- Has anyone ever told you that you were being bossy or controlling? If so, what happened? What are some signs that you might be pushing a friend too hard and need to stop?- Rigid thinkers tend to believe that there is “one right way” to do things. How could that hurt a friendship? (Hint: How might a friend feel if they want to do things differently?)- What does it mean to “agree to disagree”? Why is it sometimes good to do this in a friendship?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 60 - Henry, Age 8: Friends invited but not him https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-drfriendtastic-ep60-henry-age-8 Ep. 39 - Maya, Age 8: Replaced by a friend's new friend https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/maya-age-8-replaced-by-a-friends Ep. 26 - Abigail, Age 10: Friendship doesn't have to be all or nothing 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
Ep. 65 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What's behind a friend wanting to control you?Bridget wonders how to deal with a friend who is being controlling.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever had a controlling friend? If so, why do you think your friend was trying to control you? How did you handle it? - Has anyone ever told you that you were being bossy or controlling? If so, what happened? What are some signs that you might be pushing a friend too hard and need to stop? - Rigid thinkers tend to believe that there is “one right way” to do things. How could that hurt a friendship? (Hint: How might a friend feel if they want to do things differently?) - What does it mean to “agree to disagree”? Why is it sometimes good to do this in a friendship? *** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 59 - Jessie, Age 13: Get rid of toxic friends? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep59-jessie-age-13 Ep. 18 - Kai, Age 9: Building great leadership skills https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai Ep. 41 - Tessa, Age 9: Friends won't listen to stop or no https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tessa-age-9-boundaries Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 64 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Building real connections to make friends.Blake wants to know how to make friends with kids who have different interests than he does.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- What interest or activity do you enjoy that has helped you (or could help you) make friends?- Why is pretending to be interested in something when you're not a bad strategy for trying to make friends? (Hint: How might other kids react when they find out that you're just pretending to be interested?)- Have you ever picked up a new interest or activity because a friend likes it? What happened? - If you want to pick up a new interest, why is it a good idea to try to learn about it a bit on your own, instead of just asking people about it?What is the difference between being friendly versus being friends with someone*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 15 - Evie, Age 9: What is a close friend? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-15-evieEp. 49 - Charlotte, Age 8: Feeling different and rejected https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/charlotte-age-8-feeling-differentEp. 35 - Ryan, Age 11: Peers put down his interestshttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ryan-age-11-peers-put-down-his-interests Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 63 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with being excluded.Rosie wonders why her friend doesn't want her to play with anyone else, and what she can do about it.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Why do you think kids sometimes have trouble sharing a friend with other friends? - Have you ever been in a situation like Rosie's, either as the friend who didn't want to share a friend or the friend who wanted to play with other kids? What happened? How did you handle it?- Why is it a good idea to try to imagine why a friend might be doing what they're doing, especially when we don't like what they're doing? (Hint: How are you likely to feel and act toward the friend when you can understand their perspective?)- Would you respond differently to hearing “I like you, AND I want to play with other friends” versus “I like you, BUT I want to play with other friends”? Why or why not?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 13 - Mara, Age 9: Friend doesn't want her to have other friendshttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-13-maraEp. 16 - Sam, Age 13: Joining a new group of friends https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-samEp. 26 - Abigail, Age 10: Friendship doesn't have to be all or nothinghttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-26-abigail Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 62 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to forgive friends who have hurt us.When a friend says or does something that hurts us, it's easy to get stuck in self-righteous bitterness and resentment. But for our own sake, as much as theirs, we need to find ways to forgive them and move past those unavoidable friendship rough spots.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:Think of a time when you've forgiven someone for doing something that hurt or upset you. What happened? Why did you decide to forgive them?Dr. Friendtastic said, “Holding onto bitterness and resentment hurts us more than anyone else.” What does that mean?How is forgiving someone different than letting someone be mean to you? (Hint: It has to do with how you think about them and what you say to them.)One of the forgiveness guidelines Dr. Friendtastic mentioned is: If it happened more than a month ago, definitely let it go! Do you agree with that guideline? Why or why not? Why is it sometimes easier to forgive other people than to forgive ourselves?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 59 - Jessie, Age 13: Get rid of toxic friends? https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep59-jessie-age-13 Ep. 43 - Beatrix, Age 8: Friend cut her hair! https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/publish/podcasting/drfriendtastic Ep. 14 - Rowan, Age 12: Feeling guilty, wanting to make up with a friend 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
Ep. 61 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with being excluded.Brothers and sisters can be a lot of fun, but sometimes they're hard to live with. Lucy wants to know how to fight less with your brother.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Why do you think it's sometimes harder for kids to get along with a sibling than a friend?- When a kid does something that annoys us, it's tempting to do the same thing–or something worse–right back to them. Why is this usually not a good idea? (HINT: Why do both kids lose in a “contest” of who can be meanest?)- Dr. Friendtastic said “If you've asked a sibling [or other kid] to stop two times, and they haven't listened, they're probably not going to listen,” so your goal should shift “to taking care of yourself.” How could you do that?- Do you think it's easiest to be an only child, an oldest sibling, a youngest sibling, or a middle sibling? Why?*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 30 - Michael, Age 10: Why do some kids push others around?https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-30-michaelEp. 31 - Mila, Age 10: When someone tries to be annoyinghttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-31-milaEp. 40 - Vihan, Age 6: Friendly brother also acts wildhttps://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/vihaan-age-6-friendly-brother-acts-wild Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 60 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with being excluded. What should Henry do when a kid invites his friends to play but not him? Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Why do you think kids sometimes exclude other kids?- Have you ever felt excluded? What happened? How did you respond?- Why is it not a good idea to beg or bribe another kid to include you?- What do you think of the rule “You can't say someone can't play”? Are there any situations where it's OK to exclude someone? What could you do if someone was wrecking the game, being too rough, or refusing to follow the rules? How could you handle it if lots of kids wanted to play a game that's only for a few people?- Being “the boss” can be fun and exciting. What could someone do to be a “good boss” or a true leader? (Hint: What could a leader do or not do to make the people who are getting directions feel good?)*** You might also like these podcast episodes:Ep. 4 - Thomas, Age 13: One friend feels left out Ep. 8 - Blake, Age 11: Excluded by friends Ep. 39 - Maya, Age 8: Replaced by a friend's new friend Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 59 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dumping a friend or working things out by changing the dance. Jessie wants to get out of some painful relationships. Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever wanted to end a friendship? What happened?- In your own words, how would you explain this comment from Dr. Friendtastic? “I don't believe people can be poison [toxic]. What I do believe is that sometimes people get into patterns of interacting that are hurtful for one or both of them.”- How is a friendship like an old-fashioned dance, where people hold onto each other? What are some ways you could change a friendship dance if you didn't like what was happening?- Why is it not a good idea to suddenly stop talking to a friend, with no explanation? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 58 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Safety firstKeara wonders what to do to keep a friend safe.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever been in a situation where you thought a friend was in danger? What happened? How did you handle it?- What are some reasons why kids sometimes do things that are unsafe?- Safety is important, but sometimes kids can be too careful, meaning they don't want to do things if there's even a tiny possibility of danger or discomfort. What do you think would be an example of being too careful? How could being too careful be a problem?- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Preventing dangerous situations is usually easier than dealing with them after they've happened.” Do you agree? Why or why not?- Why might standing near a teacher or a group of friends be useful for preventing problems with someone who is acting too rough? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 57 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The upside of disagreements. Zen wants to know how to avoid conflicts, but what if conflicts are sometimes helpful?Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Describe a conflict you had with a friend. What happened? What was your friend's point of view and what was yours? How did the conflict affect your friendship?- Dr. Friendtastic says that conflict can be a way for friends to learn about each other. What does that mean?- When might it be a good idea to give in and do what your friend wants, even though it isn't exactly what you want? When is it NOT a good idea to do this?- Why is it important to try to understand what a friend is thinking or feeling? (Hint: What could happen if we just insist on what we want?)- What are some things you can do or not do to make conflicts with a friend less painful? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 56 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Showing openness to friendship. Diego wants to know what he can do to make friends. Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Think of a time when you had to make new friends. What did you do? How did other kids respond?- Why does Dr. Friendtastic emphasize trying to make friends with kids who like to do the same things you like to do? - Why do you think some kids only want to be friends with the most popular kids? What are some possible problems with this approach to friendship? - What do you think it means to show that you're open to friendship? What are some ways to do this? What actions would signal that you're NOT open to friendship? - Why is it a good thing to invite someone to get together with you, even if they say no, they can't because they're busy? (Hint: What message do you give the other kid with your invitation?) Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 55 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How saying no can save a friendship. Blaire feels bad about saying no to friends. How can she think about things differently? Scroll down for discussion questions. 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Think of a time you had to say no to a friend. What happened? How hard or easy was it for you to say no? How did your friend react? - Why is it important to say no to friends sometimes? How can saying no help a friendship? How can NOT saying no sometimes hurt a friendship? - Why do you think kids are sometimes nervous or uncomfortable about saying no to a friend? - What could you say if a friend is disappointed or annoyed when you say no? - When is it okay to say yes to a friend, even if it's not exactly what you want? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 54 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Showing up for friends the way they want. Dimitri wants to what he can do to support a friend who is dealing with hard times. Scroll down for discussion questions. 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com. Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents. *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Think of a hard time you've been through. What kind of support from friends did you find helpful (or not helpful) during that time? - How could giving advice hurt a friendship? - What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says that your friend knows best what kind of support they need? - Why might listening be a good way to support a friend who is going through a hard time? - What could you do to support a friend who doesn't feel like talking about their problems? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 53 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Knowing the difference between bragging and sharing good newsBragging is annoying because it carries an implied putdown: “I'm better than you!” Lillian wants to know how to stay calm when someone is bragging. But are they bragging or just sharing good news?Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:Why is bragging NOT a good way to make friends? (Hint: How does it make other people feel?) What are some better ways to make friends?What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says, “Most of the time, when people are bragging, there is no contest”? Why might keeping that in mind be helpful for staying calm when someone is bragging?Have you ever felt envious of something good that happened to a friend? What was the thing that made you feel envious? How did you handle it? How did it affect your friendship?Has anyone ever told you, “Quit bragging!”? Do you think you were bragging? Why or why not? What did you do after that? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 52 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with hearsayTyler wonders how to fix things when his friend's parents don't like him.Scroll down for discussion questions.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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- Have you ever tried to change how someone (kid or adult) views you? What happened? Why do you think reputations can be hard to change? - Why is it a good idea to try to get along well with your friends' parents? - What are some ways that kids can show they are being respectful toward adults?- Which of your friends do your grown-ups like the most? Why?- When you make a mistake, why do you think it's important to think honestly about what you did wrong? (Hint: What does that enable you to do?) Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 51 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with hearsay Saoirse wonders what to do when a friend tells her another girl called her weird.Scroll down for discussion questions. 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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: - Have you ever been in a situation where you found out that someone was saying something mean about you behind your back? What were they saying? How did you handle it?- Why does Dr. Friendtastic say it's freeing to realize that what people say about you when you're not around is none of your business? (Hint: What are some possible downsides of always trying to find out what people are saying about you when you're not there?)- How does repeating someone's mean comment to someone else spread meanness? - What are some good ways that you're “weird” (i.e., different from other kids you know)? Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
Ep. 50 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Beyond the Magnet Myth of FriendshipDISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- What is the Magnet Myth of Friendship? Why is the Magnet Myth NOT true?- How are friends different from fans?- Why does bragging not help you make friends? (Hint: How are other kids likely to react?)- How might worrying about not being “good enough” get in the way of making friends? - Dr. Friendtastic says to “focus on being interested rather than interesting.” What do you think that means? How could you show someone that you are interested in them?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 and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes plus posts for parents sent to your email address. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe