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Kids & Family
Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD
Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a practical and thought-provoking answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (aka Dr. Friendtastic,) an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. For transcripts and discussion questions: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. To submit a question: https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit. For parent resources: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com drfriendtastic.substack.com
Eloise, Age 8: Fights with close friends
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
04:2123/11/2024
Paa, Age 12: Expand friend group without hurting best friend
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
04:3916/11/2024
Nicoletta, Age 14: Friend’s secret could harm them
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
03:5109/11/2024
Laina, Age 11: Dealing with a manipulative friend
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
05:5302/11/2024
Mar, Age 11: Is your friend a fake friend?
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
05:0126/10/2024
How to Confront a Friend
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
05:4919/10/2024
Maya, Age 8: Friend is nicer to someone else
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
05:2612/10/2024
Welcome to the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast!
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
00:4012/10/2024
Anaya, Age 10: Friends ditch her
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
05:1505/10/2024
Alex, Age 10: Upset when he loses a game
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
06:5928/09/2024
Aubrey, Age 6: Friend hits her
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
06:3621/09/2024
J.J., Age 11: Best friend suddenly stops playing with him
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
06:4214/09/2024
Nora, Age 8: Making friends in a new school
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
05:4607/09/2024
Tali, Age 11: Is she a friend or not?
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
05:1524/08/2024
Owen, Age 8: Knowing when and how to stop
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
05:3017/08/2024
Phoebe, Age 6: Friends get together without her
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
04:3110/08/2024
Maya, Age 6: Friend runs away from her
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
04:5903/08/2024
Paul, Age 12: Choosing friends who are a good influence
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
05:3027/07/2024
Adeline, Age 8: Friends don’t invite her
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
04:4220/07/2024
Bridget, Age 14: Handling a controlling friend
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
05:0613/07/2024
Blake, Age 13: Make friends with different interests
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
04:0029/06/2024
Rosie, Age 5 3/4: Friend wants all her attention
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
05:5122/06/2024
All About Forgiveness
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-13Ep. 43 - Beatrix, Age 8: Friend cut her hair! https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/beatrix-age-8-friend-cuts-her-hairEp. 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
05:2415/06/2024
Lucy, Age 6: How to fight less with brother
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
04:5508/06/2024
Henry, Age 8: Friends invited but not him
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
05:5601/06/2024
Jessie, Age 13: Get rid of toxic friends
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
06:0018/05/2024
Kenna, Age 7: Someone’s about to get hurt!
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
04:3911/05/2024
Zen, Age 6: Avoiding Conflict
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
04:5604/05/2024
Diego, Age 11: Trouble making friends
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
04:3227/04/2024
Blaire, Age 12: Say no without feeling bad
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
04:2420/04/2024
Dimitri, Age 12: How to help a friend dealing with hard times
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
05:1913/04/2024
Lillian, Age 11: How to stay calm when someone is bragging
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
05:0706/04/2024
Tyler, Age 12: Friend‘s parents don’t like him
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
05:2623/03/2024
Saoirse, Age 8: Mean comment said behind her back
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
05:3016/03/2024
A Common Belief that Blocks Friendship
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
05:0109/03/2024
Charlotte, Age 8: Feeling different and rejected
Ep. 49 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Feeling Different and RejectedCharlotte wonders what to do when her differences separate her from her peers.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.)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS- We are all different. What are some ways that you are different from other kids around you? Do you feel proud, neutral, or ashamed about those differences? How do those differences affect your friendships?- What are some examples of visible differences (that people see immediately)? What are some examples of invisible differences (meaning the differences are real and important but other people don’t necessarily realize they’re there when they first meet someone)?- Dr. Friendtastic says, “A shared activity can bridge differences and build connection.” What does this mean?- Why do you think some kids don’t want to be around kids who are different from them? How could this attitude hurt them?For a formatted 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. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:5217/02/2024
Lily, Age 6: New friend claims to be best friend
Ep. 48 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Attraction versus closenessLily wonders how to understand a friend who claims instant intimacy.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.)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:- In your own words, how would you describe the difference between attraction and closeness?- Have you ever had someone try to influence you by saying, “I’ll be your best friend…” or “I won’t be your best friend…”? What did they want you to do? How did you respond?- Have you ever met someone and immediately thought, “We’re going to be good friends!” Did you end up becoming close friends? Why or why not?- How could saying something like “No thanks” or “I’m not comfortable doing that” deepen your friendship?For a formatted 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. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
04:5510/02/2024
Brayden, Age 9: Why are friends important?
Ep. 47 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friends matter. Here's why.We all know friends are important, but Brayden wants to know why. In this week’s episode, I spell out some research findings about the importance of friends and also some ideas about how to be a good friend.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.)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS- Why do you think having good friends makes it easier for kids to cope with stress? How has a friend been kind or helpful to you when you’ve had to deal with difficult situations?- How can too much conflict hurt a friendship?- Why do you think kids sometimes stick with a low-quality friendship (where there’s a lot of conflict and not much fun or closeness)?- What are some examples of things you’ve done to support or care for a friend?- Think of a time you had a friendship rough spot. How did you handle it?- Dr. Friendtastic says that learning to be a good friend “is a step toward peace and justice in the world.” Do you agree? Why or why not?For a 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. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
04:2403/02/2024
Anna, Age 9: Wishing for a Best Friend
Ep. 46 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Building closer friendshipsWhen they see that other kids paired off with a best friend, and they don’t have one, kids can feel like they’re missing out. Anna wants to know what she can do to get a best friend.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- Who do you consider your closest friends? How did you become close?- Has anyone ever said to you, “I’ll be your best friend if you..”? If so, how did that make you feel? Why is this NOT a good way to make close friends?- What do you think Dr. Friendtastic means when she says, “Friends are people, not possessions”? (Hint: She also talks about building a close friendship together, with time and effort.)- Why do you think Dr. Friendtastic likes the term “close friend” more than “best friend”?- Thinking about the kids you know now, who is someone you’d like to become closer friends with? How could you do that?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. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
04:5827/01/2024
Reid, Age 5: Gets angry at classmates
Ep. 45 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Gets angry at classmatesReid asks about a common problem: getting mad at his peers. Hear what does–and doesn’t–work to manage anger.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- Think of a recent time that you felt angry with another kid. What happened? How did you handle it?- What are some reasons why it’s not a good idea to act rough when you’re angry? (Hint: How are other people likely to react? How would you feel about yourself?)- Why do you think crossing your arms and taking two steps back are the first steps for emergency coping with anger? (Hint: what might that prevent?- Dr. Friendtastic lists a bunch of possible distraction strategies to use for emergency coping with anger, including saying the alphabet in your mind, counting by even numbers, doing math, or remembering the words to a song. Which of these would you like to try,? What else could you do to distract yourself when you’re mad?- The coping thoughts that Dr. Friendtastic mentions, such as “I don’t like this, but I can handle it,” recognize that the situation is hard AND that you can cope with it. What coping statements do you think might be useful for you to think about when you start to feel angry?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. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
06:1220/01/2024
Vera, Age 8: Change self to make friends?
Ep. 44 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being true to our authentic selfVera wants to know if we have to change ourselves to make friends.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- Think about yourself two or three years ago. How have you changed? How have you stayed the same?- Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you had to hide your real self from other kids? What made you think you had to do that? How did the other kids react? How did you feel while doing it or after doing it? - Describe some times when you’ve done something that wasn’t exactly what you wanted because you cared about a friend. How did your friend respond? How did you feel while doing it or after doing it? - Dr. Friendtastic says friendship is about knowing and caring for each other. What do you think that means in terms of what you should do or not do to build a close friendship with another kid? Why do we need both ingredients, knowing and caring, for friendship?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. Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:5013/01/2024
Beatrix, Age 8: Friend cut her hair!
Ep. 43 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Learning to say “No.”Beatrix somehow agreed to let her friend snip a tiny bit of her hair but was shocked when the friend cut a big chunk! How can she protect her hair and the 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- Have you ever had a situation where you went along with what a friend wanted but later regretted it? What happened? How did you handle it with your friend?- Why do you think it’s sometimes hard to say no to a friend?- Why do you think friends sometimes don’t listen or keep arguing after they’ve heard no?- Have you ever felt envious of a friend–wishing you had something they do or could be more like them? What did you envy? How did it affect your friendship?- If you were in Beatrix’s situation, would you be able to forgive a friend who cut more of your hair than you expected? Why or why not?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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:2506/01/2024
How to Be a Good Friend
Ep. 42 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to Be a Good Friend.In this year-end wrap-up, Dr. Friendtastic describes 4 areas of friendship that are necessary for becoming a good friend.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- What are some ways that you are a good friend? (Hint: what do you do to show your friends you like and care about them?)- Why is it sometimes hard to be a good friend?- Thinking about the different friendship areas Dr. Friendtastic highlighted, fun, support, closeness, and handling conflicts, which do you think is the hardest to do well? Why?- What could you do to try to become an even better friend? (Think about all the areas and questions mentioned in the podcast episode.)Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:0016/12/2023
Tessa, Age 9: Friends won’t listen to “stop” or “no”
Ep. 41 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Understanding and communicating about boundaries.Tessa wonders how to handle things when her friends don’t respect her boundaries.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- Describe a time when someone crossed a boundary of your. Why do you think they did that? How did you handle it?- Dr. Friendtastic said, “Good boundaries can save friendships.” What does that mean? What could happen if you don’t talk with your friends about boundaries?- Communicating about your communication can be difficult. How do you think your friends would react if you said, ““I’ve asked you twice to stop, but you keep doing that. What’s going on?” Why might it be a good idea to ask “What’s going on?” rather than just yelling at them? (Hint: how is your friend likely to respond to those comments?- If a friend crosses your boundaries, does that mean the friendship has to end? What oculd you do instead? Boundaries can vary depending on the situation, our culture, and our relationship with others. Sometimes they even chage over time. What are some good ways to figure out what someone else’s boundaries are?Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
07:3409/12/2023
Vihaan, Age 6: Friendly brother also acts wild
Ep. 40 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Imagining the feelings behind wild behavior.Vihaan’s brother is his best friend, but sometimes he acts wild. How can Vihaan handle this?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 been around a friend or sibling who acts wild? What do you think helps or doesn’t help in that situation?- Has anyone told you that you were acting too wild? What feelings were behind your wild behavior? (In other words, how were you feeling at that time?)- Dr. Friendtastic explained that there are a bunch of different reasons why someone might be acting wild, including being overexcited, not wanting the fun to end, feeling lonely or bored, or feeling frustrated. Why do you think it’s important to figure out why smeone is acting wild?- When should you try to handle a friend or sibling’s misbehavior by yourself, and when should you get a grown-up involved?- What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says, “Winning and losing only last about two seconds”? Why is that an important thing to understand?Like the podcast? Check out my books and webinars at https://EileenKennedyMoore.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:4302/12/2023
Maya, Age 8: Replaced by a friend’s new friend
Ep. 39 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with jealousy about a friend’s other friend.Maya wants to know how to reconnect with a friend who seems to have moved on to a new best friend.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 been in a situation like Maya’s, where you felt jealous of a friend’s other friend? What happened? How did you handle it?- Dr. Friendtastic mentions three things that would NOT help in this situation: yelling at the friend, being mean to the new friend, and trying to divide the friend evenly. Why do you think those would NOT be good choices? (Hint: How would they make the friend feel?)- Why is it important to try to be “good company” when you’re with a friend, so they enjoy being with you? What are some ways to be good company?- What are some reasons why it’s good to have more than one friend?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.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:2618/11/2023
Richard, Age 11: Wondering how to be popular
Ep. 38 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Popular kids aren’t necessarily well-liked.Richard wants to know how to become popular.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- Which kids do you know whom you consider to be popular? What do you think makes them popular? Are they also well-liked by other kids? Why or why not?- Which kids do you know who are well-liked by other kids? What do you think makes them well-liked?- Why do kids sometimes want to be popular? Do you think that’s an important goal? Why or why not?- Why do you think popular kids tend to be more anxious and sad than kids who have a few close friends?- What does this statement mean: “Kindness is about how the other person feels and what they want”?- What are some examples of kind things you’ve done for other kids? Why is it a good idea to do at least one kind action every day? (Hint: How does it make other people feel? How does it make you feel?)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.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
04:5911/11/2023
Saanvi, Age 12: What’s the right gift for a friend?
Ep. 37 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Balancing giving and getting.Saanvi isn’t sure how to respond to a friend who gives her expensive gifts.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- 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 and 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?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.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:1104/11/2023
Ann, Age 9: Dealing with peer pressure
Ep. 36 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Learning to say "no."Ann wants to know how to avoid letting her friends drag her into doing something she knows she shouldn’t 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- What are some positive ways your friends have influenced you?- Have you ever had friends or other kids try to influence you to do something that wasn’t smart or kind? What happened?- Why do you think it’s sometimes hard for kids to say no to friends?- Have you ever tried to influence a friend to do something? What was it? Why did you want your friend to do it? How did you try to influence your friend? How did your friend respond?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.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:5428/10/2023
Ryan, Age 11: Peers put down his interests
Ep. 35 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Figuring out whose opinion matters to youRyan feels hurt when a classmate boos his efforts and punches his example owl.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- Whose opinion matters to you? In other words, who are the special people in your life that you want to think well of you? (Hint: These are people who care about you!)- Have you ever been in a situation like Ryan, where someone said something mean about your efforts? What did they say? Why do you think they said that? How did you respond?- Ryan has been thinking about his classmate’s mean comments for months. What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she tells him, “Don’t give this kid that much power?”- Why do you think it’s not worth arguing or trying to defend yourself when someone whose opinion doesn’t matter to you says something mean?- What would you say to comfort a friend who got booed or heard mean comments about their efforts? - Dr. Friendtastic says, “You can’t please everyone.” She can’t, either! Why is it NOT a good idea to try to please everyone?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.comSubscribe 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/EileenKennedyMooreTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drfriendtastic Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
05:4421/10/2023