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

Ep. 28 – Avni, Age 11: Being unfairly targeted by a friend’s anger | Dealing with spill-over anger. 

Avni asks what to do when a friend is angry about someone or something else but takes it out on her.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Spill-over anger is when you’re mad at one person but take it out on someone else. What are some reasons why kids (and adults!) sometimes do that? Have you ever unfairly taken your anger out on someone? Have you ever been the target of someone’s spill-over anger? What happened?

- Why is acting aggressively and yelling at people NOT a good way to deal with feeling angry? (Hint: What would that likely do to your friendships?)

- What do you think are some good ways to tell a friend that what they’re doing bothers you?

- How do you decide when you’re going to forgive a friend’s mistake and when their mistake means the friendship is over?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 27 – Dr. Friendtastic's Friendship League: Josh Martin

Dr. Friendtastic’s Friendship League is made up of adults who care about kids and have volunteered to share with you about a friendship rough spot they faced as a kid plus a kind thing a friend did for them.

In this episode, Josh Martin, who is the voice of Dragon Ball Z’s Majin Buu, talks about coping with being the new kid. Learn more about Josh at https://www.instagram.com/originalbuu/?hl=en.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Being “the new kid” can happen when we move homes or when we join a new group or activity. Have you ever felt like “the new kid”? How did you handle that?

- Dr. Friendtastic says that common ground is where friendships grow. What does that mean to you? What are some ways to find or create common ground with other kids?

- Which activities have you done that have been most helpful to you for making friends?

- Being kind doesn’t guarantee that someone will become our friend. Why is it a good idea to be kind, anyway?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 26 – Abigail, Age 10: Feeling like a second-choice friend | Friendship doesn’t have to be all or nothing

Abigail wonders what to do when her two friends would rather play with each other than with her.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Have you ever felt like a second-choice friend? How did you handle it? Do you think it’s possible to be good friends with someone if they like someone else more than they like you? Why or why not?

- Has a friend ever told you that they feel left out or jealous of your other friend? How did you respond?

- What does “all-or-nothing thinking” mean, when it comes to friendship? Why is it not a good idea?

- Saying, “You’re mean!” is not a good way to encourage someone to be kinder to you. Why do you think kids sometimes accuse friends of being mean? What are some better ways to communicate so your friends will want to listen when you tell them about a problem?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 25 – Bryson, Age 10: Handling teasing about religion | Moving past us-versus-them thinking

Bryson wants to know why kids are sometimes mean about religion.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- How many different religions can you name? What do you know about them?

- What examples can you think of in your life of us-versus-them thinking or in-group bias (meaning kids prefer people in their own group compared to another group)? What do you think might help these groups get along better?

- Have you ever been picked on or treated unfairly because of your religion? Have you ever heard someone else getting picked on because of their religion? How did you handle it?

- Do you think kids or adults are more accepting of differences? Why?

- Why is it wonderful that everyone is not exactly like you?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 24 – Olivia, Age 13: Fake friends versus real friends | Some friendships have limits 

Olivia wants to know how to recognize a fake friendship.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Why do you think kids sometimes pretend to like someone when they don’t?

- Think of a time when a friend made a mistake that hurt or upset you. How did you handle it? How would you want a friend to respond if you made a mistake?

- How is a limited friendship different from a fake friendship? Do you think it’s possible to like someone and enjoy their company if you only have a limited friendship? Why or why not?

- Why does Dr. Friendtastic suggest lowering your expectations in a limited friendship? What do you think that means? How might that help the friendship? How might lower expectations help you?

- What do you think are the essential ingredients of all friendships, whether they’re very close or more limited? (In other words, what are the basic expectations for a friendship that you should never lower?)

- How could mind-reading hurt a friendship? What might happen if you guess wrong about what someone else is thinking or trying to do?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 23 – Gage, Age 9: Getting pushed around at recess | Play fighting versus real fighting 

Gage wonders what to do about a kid who throws him to the ground at recess.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS- Have you ever had someone be physically too rough with you? What happened? How did you respond? 

- How do you feel about play fighting? Why do you think some kids like it? Why do you think some kids don’t like it?

- Why is it important to be able to tell the difference between play fighting and real fighting? What do you think are the main differences?

- Why might social control (using the group’s disapproval to rein someone in) be an effective way to deal with someone who is being too rough?

- Why is it important to tell a trusted grown-up if someone bigger, stronger, tougher, or more socially powerful than you is picking on you? If you were being bullied, who would you tell? 

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 22 – Scarlett, Age 13: Changing a bad first impression | Managing your social reputation

Scarlett wants to know what to do to change someone’s first impression of her.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Have you ever changed your mind about what you think of someone and started to like them, even though you didn’t at first? If so, what led to that change?

- What are some reasons why it’s hard to change a first impression?

- Dr. Friendtastic said, “We can’t force someone to like us.” What does this statement mean to you? 

- What impression do you think most people have of you when they first meet you? Is that similar or different from how your close friends see you?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 21 – Eugene, Age 13: Wanting to be more popular | Popularity is not the same as friendship

Eugene wonders how to become friends with someone more popular than he is.

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Popular kids are socially powerful. What do you think that means? How is that different from being well-liked? 

- How can someone be “cool” if they are also unkind? Do you know anyone like that? How do other kids react to that kid?  

- Why do you think some kids care a lot about being popular? What do you think about popularity?

- What are some ways that kids could try to increase how well-liked they are?

- Think of the happiest kids you know. Would you say they are very popular,  medium popular, or unpopular? Do many, some, or few kids like them? Do they have close friends? What do your observations suggest about how happiness is related to popularity and friendship?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 20 – Anna, Age 9: Lying friend | Why might a friend not tell you the truth?

Anna is upset about a friend lying to her. What should she do?

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Have you ever caught a friend in a lie? How did you feel? Why do you think the friend lied to you? How did it affect your friendship?

- Have you ever told a lie to a friend? What got in the way of you telling the truth? Did your friend ever find out the truth? What happened? 

- Why do you think Dr. Friendtastic suggested NOT calling a friend a liar even if they did tell a lie? What’s the difference between telling a lie and being a liar? How is a friend likely to react to being called a liar?

- Why do you think Dr. Friendtastic focuses on what Anna could do instead of what her friend did wrong?

- How could you make it easy for a friend to tell you the truth? What responses might make it harder for a friend to tell the truth?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic

Ep. 19 – Dr. Friendtastic's Friendship League: Jason Griffith

Dr. Friendtastic’s Friendship League is made up of adults who care about kids and have volunteered to share with you about a friendship rough spot they faced as a kid plus a kind thing a friend did for them. In this episode, Jason Griffith, who was the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog, tells a powerful story about overcoming being bullied. Learn more about Jason at https://www.instagram.com/real_jasongriffith/

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 a TRANSCRIPT go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

- Rich was the ringleader in picking on Jason. Why do you think the other kids joined in on the meanness? 

- If you were getting picked on like Jason was, which adults could you go to for help?

- Why did Rich tell the other kids to stop picking on Jason? What do you think Rich felt or realized that changed his mind?

- Have you ever stood up for someone who was getting picked on? If it’s not safe for you to speak up directly, in the moment, what are some other ways you could support someone who is getting bullied?

- What do you think about the fact that the person who was meanest and kindest to Jason when he was a kid was the same person?

- Redemption means freeing ourselves from a bad situation or bad actions. We can always choose to move forward in kinder ways. Rich made a big change, but all of us can work on being kinder in our daily lives. What is one way you could be kinder?

Books mentioned in the podcast:

Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to making and Keeping Friends https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-friendships/

Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids https://eileenkennedymoore.com/child-development-books/growing-feelings/

Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus posts for parents.

Connect with me on social media for more useful and entertaining content for parents:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfriendtastic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenKennedyMoore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic