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

January 03 Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)
Ep. 129 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Big friendship break-up, slow fade, or something else? | 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:
- Have you ever had a friendship end? What happened? Was it your choice, their choice, neither, or both?
- If you were the friend being dumped, how would you want your former friend to handle it?
- Dr. Friendtastic believes it’s very mean to suddenly refuse to speak with someone. What do you think? Why is this not a good way to handle friendship rough spots?
- Why is it not a good idea to involve other people in a conflict between you and a friend?
- How do you decide whether to try to work things out or end a friendship? (Hint: what might make you want to stay or go?)
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 127 - Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep127-friend-wants-space-sloane-age-6
Ep. 114 - Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friend-is-ignoring-her-emma-age-13
Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
8 min
December 13, 2025 When you cry easily (Beth, Age 6)
Ep. 128 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 5 Things to Do When You Feel Like Crying But Don't Want To | 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:
- Think of a time you cried recently. What triggered your tears? Were you alone or with others? If you were with others, how did they respond?
- Everyone cries sometimes. What do you think are some good or not-so-good places to cry? Why? [Hint: Who’s around and how are they likely to respond?]
- Have you ever tried to comfort a friend who was crying? What did you do?
- Dr. Friendtastic mentioned 5 self-soothing strategies to use when you feel like crying but don’t want to cry. Which of these appeals to you? What other strategies might be helpful?
- Research says that females tend to cry more often than males. Why do you think that is?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 102 - How to express your feelings with friends (Aida, Age 5)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep102-how-to-express-your-feelings-with-friends
Ep. 97 - How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, age 5)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep97-how-and-why-to-understand-a-friends
Ep. 5 - Friend doesn’t want what I want (Edith, age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-af3

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
8 min
December 07, 2025 Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6)
Ep. 127 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Closeness vs. separateness in friendship | 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:
- How have you tried to learn about other cultures? (Hint: Do you know any words in a different language? Have you eaten food from a different culture? Have you had the chance to travel to different countries? Have you read books about someone who lives in a different country or comes from a different culture?)
- Do you like physical affection with friends or do you prefer a hands-off style of relating? How do you let friends know what you prefer?
- Has a friend ever told you they wanted space from you or didn’t want to be your friend anymore? What happened?
- Have you ever wanted physical or emotional space from a friend? How did you handle that?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 123 - How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep123-how-to-keep-friends-eva-age-6
Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 10) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11
Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
November 29, 2025 The Right Gift for a Friend (Saanvi, Age 12)
Re-release Ep. 37 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The Joy of Giving | 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 best gift you ever received from a friend? What makes you think it’s the best?
- Why do you think Saanvi’s parents don’t want her to give her friend an expensive gift? What are some reasons why giving a friend an expensive gift might not be a good idea?
- What is something you gave to a friend that didn’t cost any money, but the friend really liked it?
- Dr. Friendtastic listed a bunch of ideas of possible gifts for a friend that cost little or no money: teaching the friend something, helping a friend with chores, makin a drawing or a craft, yummy food, a photo collage, a slide show, or a video about the two of you, writing a letter or a card telling the friend how much they mean to you. Which of those would you most like to receive? Which of these–or another idea–would you most like to give to a friend?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 47 - Why friendships matter (Brayden, Age 9) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/brayden-age-9-why-are-friends-important
Ep. 67: Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who
Ep. 123 - How to keep friends (Eva, Age 6) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep123-how-to-keep-friends-eva-age-6

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
November 22, 2025 How to Have a Conversation - for Kids
Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening 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:
- 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
November 15, 2025 Not picked to play on team (Charlie, Age 9)
Ep. 125 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Watch then blend | 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 some ways to pick teams that are fair and kind to everyone?
- Why is it sometimes hard for kids to be a good sport?
- How do you decide who to play with at recess? (Hint: What might make you choose to try to join one group of kids but not another?)
- Have you ever “started the fun” at recess? If so, what did you do? If not, what fun game or activity could you try to start with other kids?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 124 - How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 8)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep124-how-to-join-kids-playing-amelia-age9
Ep. 107 - Secrets to self-control in friendship and life (Alex, Age 10)
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep107-secrets-to-self-control-in-friendship-and-life-alex
Ep. 7 – Emma, Age 11: Friend is a poor sport
https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep7-poor-sport-friend

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
7 min
November 08, 2025 How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 9)
Ep. 124 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Watch then blend | 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 some reasons why kids might sit alone at recess?
- What is your favorite thing to do at recess? Who likes to do it with you?
- Why is it important to think about the what/who/how questions before trying to join a group?
- Why might it be easiest to join a single kid, playing alone, or a group of four or more?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 4 - One friend feels left out (Thomas, Age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-71f
Ep. 49 - Feeling different and rejected (Charlotte, Age 8)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/charlotte-age-8-feeling-different
Ep. 67 - Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
8 min
November 01, 2025 How to Keep Friends (Eva, Age 6)
Ep. 123 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Making friends and keeping friends require different skills | 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:
- Dr. Friendtastic said that keeping a friendship involves 1) building up the positives in the relationship and 2) minimizing the negatives. Which of these do you think has a bigger impact on friendships, positive or negative interactions? Why?
- Think of a time when you and a friend faced a friendship rough spot. What happened? How did you get past it?
- What is one kind thing a friend has done for you?
- What is one kind thing you have done for a friend?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 110 - Being apart from a friend (Matilda, Age 5)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep110-being-apart-from-a-friend-matilda-age5
Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13)https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down
Ep. 90 - Friend breaks a promise (Alma, Age 7) 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
6 min
October 25, 2025 Excluded because he’s a boy (Calvin, Age 8)
Ep. 122 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship is about people, not categories | 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:
- Which of the silly contests described at the start of this episode would you like to play with your friends?
- What is the difference between keeping score with friends and keeping score about friends?
- Why does it matter whether the other friends are whispering to each other or just talking to each other?
- If your friend does something you don’t like, what are some reasons you might decide NOT to say anything about it?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 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-him
Ep. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else
Ep. 114 - Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friend-is-ignoring-her-emma-age-13

Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
6 min
October 18, 2025 Close friend and new friend leave her out! (Sara, Age 8)
Ep. 121 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Don’t keep score in a friendship | 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:
- Which of the silly contests described at the start of this episode would you like to play with your friends?
- What is the difference between keeping score with friends and keeping score about friends?
- Why does it matter whether the other friends are whispering to each other or just talking to each other?
- If your friend does something you don’t like, what are some reasons you might decide NOT to say anything about it?
*** You might also like these podcast episodes:
Ep. 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-him
Ep. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else
Ep. 114 - Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friend-is-ignoring-her-emma-age-13

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…