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

By Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health.Kids & Family Education for Kids

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

May 23 Avoiding conflict with friends (Zen, Age 6) | re-release Ep. 57
Re-release Ep. 57 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The upside of disagreements | Friendship advice for kids
FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- 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?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him
Ep. 103 - Friend butt into conflict with other friend (Grace, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep103-friends-butt-into-conflict-with-other-friend
Ep. 132 - Friend won’t talk about problem (Monet, Age 9)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep132-friend-wont-talk-about-problem-monet-age-9

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
May 16 Teased because of his looks! (Milo, Age 9) | 147
Ep. 147 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendly versus unfriendly teasing | Friendship advice for kids
FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Do you have a nickname? If so, who calls you that, and how do you feel about it? If not, would you like a nickname? Why or why not?
- Have you ever been teased in a way you found hurtful? What happened? How did you handle it?
- What are some reasons a good friend might accidentally say something hurtful?
- How might you handle things differently if a hurtful name or comment came from a friend versus someone who is not a friend?
- Dr. Friendtastic says you should only criticize someone’s appearance if it’s something they can quickly fix, and you can mention it privately. Why are these important guidelines? (Hint: How are people likely to feel if they can’t easily fix whatever it is, or if other people hear your negative comments?)
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 95 - Handling embarrassing moments (Sara, Age 7)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep95-handling-embarrassing-moments-sara-age-7
Ep. 29 - Dealing with teasing (Abby, Age 9)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-29-abby
Ep. 25 - Moving past us-versus-them thinking (Bryson, Age 10)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-25-bryson

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
9 min
May 09 She took something that didn’t belong to her (River, Age 9) | 146
Ep. 146 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Moving past guilt | Friendship advice for kids
FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why do you think kids sometimes take things that don’t belong to them? Why is stealing not a good idea?
- Describe a time when you were tempted to do something you knew was wrong but didn’t. How did you resist the temptation?
- What does “make amends” mean? Why is it a good thing to do in relationships? What could you do to make amends if you accidentally broke a friend’s toy?
- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Situational control is always easier than self-control.” What does that mean? How could you set up your situation to make sure you get dressed quickly in the morning? How could you set up your situation to make sure you do your work instead of getting distracted at school?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal
Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 11)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11
Ep. 1 – Naomi, Age 7: Friendship ends over small thing
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
May 02 He doesn’t like one kid in the group (Joe, Age 9) | 145
Ep. 145 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: He doesn’t like one kid in the group (Joe, Age 9) | Friendship advice for kids
FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Have you ever had to get along with someone you don’t particularly like? How did you handle that?
- How can disliking someone (and telling people you don’t like that person!) hurt your friendships with other kids?
- Dr. Friendtastic said that staying away from a group because you don’t like one person “would be giving this one kid a lot of power to influence who you play with and what you do.” What does this mean?
- Why is trying to kick someone out of a group an unkind thing to do?
- Why might flooding someone you don’t like with kindness be a useful strategy? (Hint: How are they likely to respond?) When would this strategy not be a good idea?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 138 - When joking is mean, not funny (Seb, Age 11)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep138-when-joking-is-mean-not-funny-seb-age11
Ep. 12 - Kid bullies him at recess (Adrian, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-12-adrian
Ep. 3 - Kid tries to wreck game (Noelle, Age 10)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-4b8

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
April 25 How to join a group (Addison, Age 9 1/2) | 144
Ep. 144 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: You don't have to stay on the outside looking in | Friendship advice for kids
FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are some reasons why it’s sometimes hard to join a group of kids?
- Why is it important to match the emotional tone of a conversation if you want to join a group?
- What do you look for when you decide whether to try to join a group?
- Do you think you are open to having kids join you if you are hanging out with friends at school or at an activity? What could you do to make another kid feel welcome?
- Do you always have to include people who want to join your group? Why or why not?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 112 - How to Show Openness to Friendship
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep112-how-to-show-openness-to-friendship
Ep. 85 - Fitting in versus being true to yourself (Nev, Age 11)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep85-nev-age-11-fitting-in-versus-being-true-to-yourself
Ep. 98 - How to join a group when not everyone wants you in (Jessica, Age 9)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep98-jessica-age9-how-to-join-a-group-when-not-everyone-wants-you-in

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
April 18 Friends won't play the game he likes (Akiva, Age 5 3/4) | 143
Ep. 143 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being flexible with friends | Friendship advice for kids
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When a person is flexible, it means they can adjust to new, unexpected, or unwanted situations. What is an example of someone being flexible with friends? What is an example of someone being rigid with friends?
- How do these two styles (flexible or rigid) affect friendships?
- Does being flexible mean you never get to do what you want? Why or why not?
- Why is it hard to be flexible when we’re upset?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 5 - Friend doesn’t do what I want (Edith, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-af3
Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai
Ep. 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
8 min
April 11 Best friend replaces her! (Alice, Age 6) | 142
Ep. 142 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being friendly vs. being friends | Friendship advice for kids
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- If you could be any age, what age would you choose to be and why?
- Have you ever moved or had a friend move away from you? What happened?
- Do you think it’s fair that Alice’s best friend found a new best friend after Alice moved away? Why or why not?
- What would you do if you found out that you and your family had to move far away from where you live now? How would you try to stay in touch with old friends? How would you make new friends?
- How is life (and friendship) like a leaf, floating downstream?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 72 - Making friends in a new school (Nora, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep72-nora-age-8-making-friends-new-schl
Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal
Ep. 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
6 min
April 04 How to Have a Conversation - for Kids
REPLAY of Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | Friendship advice for kids
No one is born knowing how to have a good conversation! In this episode, I share five practical tips to help kids chat more comfortably with others.
🎁 My gift to you — 3 free mini-guides for parents: https://eileenkennedymoore.com/free-mini-guides/
Online workshops for kids: workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
🎙️ Would YOUR KID like to be on the podcast? Submit a question at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Not psychotherapy or for emergencies.)
Easy-to-read transcript: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com
Never miss an episode! https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why do you think kids sometimes feel nervous about talking with other people? (Hint: What might they be afraid of?)
- Who do you enjoy chatting with? Why? (Hint: What do they do that makes your conversation enjoyable?)
- How could you answer the question “How are you?” using the “Great!”-plus-one-fact formula? (Reminder: The “one fact” should create a picture in the listener's mind.) Why might this be a useful formula for conversations?
- Dr. Friendtastic says, “focus on being interested more than interesting.” What does that mean? Why might it be a helpful approach to conversations?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 72 - Making friends in a new school (Nora, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep72-nora-age-8-making-friends-new-schl
Ep. 70 - Knowing when and how to stop (Owen, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep70-owen-age-8-stop-signals
Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
March 28 Can we be friends with anyone? (Michael, Age 9) | 141
Ep. 141 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being friendly vs. being friends | Friendship advice for kids
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What is the difference between being friendly and being friends?
- Why is it generally a good idea to be friendly with people even if they are not your friends?
- What are some reasons why two kids might not want to be friends with each other?
- Dr. Friendtastic said, “Friendship is not all-or-nothing.” What does that mean? (Hint: What are some different kinds of friends you have?)
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 133 - Can he be friends with people who don’t like him? (John, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep133-can-he-be-friends-with-people-who-dont-like-him-john-8
Ep. 129 - Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep129-kindest-way-to-break-up-with-a-friend-audrey-age-9
Ep. 122 - Excluded because he’s a boy (Calvin, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep122-excluded-because-hes-a-boy-calvin

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
6 min
March 21 Friend lies and boasts (Martha, Age 9) | 140
Ep. 140 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: When a friend tries to seem better than she is | Friendship advice for kids
Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f
Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are three truths and a lie about you? (Also explain which statement is not true and why.)
- Would you like to have a Flemish Giant rabbit for a pet? Why or why not? (Look up a picture of them if you’re not sure.)
- What are some reasons why kids might lie? Why does Dr. Friendtastic think Martha’s friend might be lying?
- How might lying to impress friends backfire? (Hint: How will friends feel if they find out they’ve been tricked?)
- When someone says something that’s not true, how can you tell if they’re lying, playing, or just mistaken?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 53 - How to stay calm when someone is bragging (Lillian, Age 11)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/lillian-age-11-how-to-stay-calm-when
Ep. 20 - Lying friend (Anna, Age 9)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-20-anna
Ep. 115 - Her lies hurt her friendship (Sofia, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep115-her-lies-hurt-her-friendships-sofia-age8

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min

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

From the publisher's feed

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a weekly, 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a…