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

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

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health.
Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)
Latest episode

157 episodes

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

    Teased because of his looks! (Milo, Age 9) | 147

    16/05/2026 | 8 mins.
    Ep. 147 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendly versus unfriendly teasing | Friendship advice for kids
    FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
    https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
    Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
    Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
    SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
    For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
    Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
    Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
    *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
    - Do you have a nickname? If so, who calls you that, and how do you feel about it? If not, would you like a nickname? Why or why not?
    - Have you ever been teased in a way you found hurtful? What happened? How did you handle it?
    - What are some reasons a good friend might accidentally say something hurtful?
    - How might you handle things differently if a hurtful name or comment came from a friend versus someone who is not a friend?
    - Dr. Friendtastic says you should only criticize someone’s appearance if it’s something they can quickly fix, and you can mention it privately. Why are these important guidelines? (Hint: How are people likely to feel if they can’t easily fix whatever it is, or if other people hear your negative comments?)
    *** You might also like these podcast episodes:
    Ep. 95 - Handling embarrassing moments (Sara, Age 7)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep95-handling-embarrassing-moments-sara-age-7
    Ep. 29 - Dealing with teasing (Abby, Age 9)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-29-abby
    Ep. 25 - Moving past us-versus-them thinking (Bryson, Age 10)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-25-bryson


    Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
  • Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

    She took something that didn’t belong to her (River, Age 9) | 146

    09/05/2026 | 6 mins.
    Ep. 146 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Moving past guilt | Friendship advice for kids
    FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
    https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
    Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
    Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
    SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
    For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
    Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
    Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
    *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
    - Why do you think kids sometimes take things that don’t belong to them? Why is stealing not a good idea?
    - Describe a time when you were tempted to do something you knew was wrong but didn’t. How did you resist the temptation?
    - What does “make amends” mean? Why is it a good thing to do in relationships? What could you do to make amends if you accidentally broke a friend’s toy?
    - Dr. Friendtastic says, “Situational control is always easier than self-control.” What does that mean? How could you set up your situation to make sure you get dressed quickly in the morning? How could you set up your situation to make sure you do your work instead of getting distracted at school?

    *** You might also like these podcast episodes:
    Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal
    Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 11)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11
    Ep. 1 – Naomi, Age 7: Friendship ends over small thing
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1



    Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
  • Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

    He doesn’t like one kid in the group (Joe, Age 9) | 145

    02/05/2026 | 6 mins.
    Ep. 145 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: He doesn’t like one kid in the group (Joe, Age 9) | Friendship advice for kids
    FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
    https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
    Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
    Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
    SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
    For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
    Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
    Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
    *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
    - Have you ever had to get along with someone you don’t particularly like? How did you handle that?
    - How can disliking someone (and telling people you don’t like that person!) hurt your friendships with other kids?
    - Dr. Friendtastic said that staying away from a group because you don’t like one person “would be giving this one kid a lot of power to influence who you play with and what you do.” What does this mean?
    - Why is trying to kick someone out of a group an unkind thing to do?
    - Why might flooding someone you don’t like with kindness be a useful strategy? (Hint: How are they likely to respond?) When would this strategy not be a good idea?
    *** You might also like these podcast episodes:
    Ep. 138 - When joking is mean, not funny (Seb, Age 11)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep138-when-joking-is-mean-not-funny-seb-age11
    Ep. 12 - Kid bullies him at recess (Adrian, Age 8)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-12-adrian
    Ep. 3 - Kid tries to wreck game (Noelle, Age 10)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-4b8



    Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
  • Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

    How to join a group (Addison, Age 9 1/2) | 144

    25/04/2026 | 6 mins.
    Ep. 144 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: You don't have to stay on the outside looking in | Friendship advice for kids
    FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends
    https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/
    Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
    Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
    SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
    For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
    Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
    Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
    *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
    - What are some reasons why it’s sometimes hard to join a group of kids?
    - Why is it important to match the emotional tone of a conversation if you want to join a group?
    - What do you look for when you decide whether to try to join a group?
    - Do you think you are open to having kids join you if you are hanging out with friends at school or at an activity? What could you do to make another kid feel welcome?
    - Do you always have to include people who want to join your group? Why or why not?

    *** You might also like these podcast episodes:
    Ep. 112 - How to Show Openness to Friendship
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep112-how-to-show-openness-to-friendship
    Ep. 85 - Fitting in versus being true to yourself (Nev, Age 11)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep85-nev-age-11-fitting-in-versus-being-true-to-yourself
    Ep. 98 - How to join a group when not everyone wants you in (Jessica, Age 9)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep98-jessica-age9-how-to-join-a-group-when-not-everyone-wants-you-in



    Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
  • Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

    Friends won't play the game he likes (Akiva, Age 5 3/4) | 143

    18/04/2026 | 7 mins.
    Ep. 143 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being flexible with friends | Friendship advice for kids
    Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.
    FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f
    Would YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?
    SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)
    For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/
    Like the podcast? Check out my books at https://EileenKennedyMoore.com.
    Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.
    *** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
    - When a person is flexible, it means they can adjust to new, unexpected, or unwanted situations. What is an example of someone being flexible with friends? What is an example of someone being rigid with friends?
    - How do these two styles (flexible or rigid) affect friendships?
    - Does being flexible mean you never get to do what you want? Why or why not?
    - Why is it hard to be flexible when we’re upset?
    *** You might also like these podcast episodes:
    Ep. 5 - Friend doesn’t do what I want (Edith, Age 8)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-af3
    Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai
    Ep. 28 - Dealing with spill-over anger (Avni, Age 11)
    https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-28-avni



    Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe
More Education for Kids podcasts
About Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)
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 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
Podcast website

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