A celebration of INTERdependence! Why friendships matter (Brayden, Age 9)

A celebration of INTERdependence! Why friendships matter (Brayden, Age 9)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. July 4, 2025 Duration: 5:31

Re-release of Ep. 47 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic | Friendship advice for kids

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 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:

- 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?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 97 - How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, Age 7)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep97-how-and-why-to-understand-a-friends

Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down

Ep. 44 - Change self to make friends? (Vera, Age 8)

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

In Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8), real children from kindergarten through eighth grade send in their questions about the tricky, wonderful, and sometimes confusing world of friendships. Each week, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore-a clinical psychologist and author known as Dr. Friendtastic-responds with a thoughtful, practical answer designed just for young listeners. The conversations in this podcast get straight to the heart of what kids experience: navigating arguments, feeling left out, trying to make a new friend, or figuring out how to be a good one themselves. Eileen Kennedy-Moore draws on her deep expertise in children's feelings and social development to offer actionable advice that respects a child's perspective. The format is brief and engaging, with each episode lasting about five minutes, making it an easy listen for a car ride or quiet moment. This isn't about lectures; it's about giving kids the tools and confidence to handle social situations with kindness and resilience. Parents and educators often find the discussions helpful, too, as the podcast naturally opens doors for deeper conversations about emotions and relationships. By focusing on real questions from real kids, the podcast creates a genuine connection, assuring young listeners that their friendship worries are normal and solvable. Tune in weekly to hear compassionate guidance that turns everyday social puzzles into opportunities for growth and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)
Podcast Episodes
How to make friends with a new classmate (Adeline, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:37
Ep. 101 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding the "just-right" level of friendliness | Friendship advice for kidsAdeline wants to know how to help a news classmate, but she’s also concerned about coming on too strong and…
Celebrating Episode 100!!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:38
Ep. 100 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Hear what kids have learned from 100 episodes of friendship advice for kidsFREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR KID like to…
Best friend makes a big mistake! (Rosetta, Age 5) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:19
Ep. 99 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What happens after a friend does something mean? | Friendship advice for kidsRosetta wants to know what to do when the girl she considers her best friend does something seriously unkin…
How to join a group when not everyone wants you in (Jessica, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:59
Ep. 98 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship group drama | Friendship advice for kidsJessica wants to join a friend group, not not everyone is welcoming.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoor…
How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:00
Ep. 97 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The platinum rule | Friendship advice for kidsZoya wants to know how to understand her friends' feelings. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37…
Dealing with a Bossy Friend (Grace, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:45
Ep. 96 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Moving past a Yes-No argumentGrace's friend sometimes bosses her around! What can she do?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR…
Handling embarrassing moments (Sara, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:18
Ep. 95 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 3 types of embarrassmentSara wishes she could never feel embarrassed!FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR KID like to be feat…
Before you confront a friend | Friendship advice for kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:01
Ep. 94 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Two questions to ask yourself before discussing a problem with a friend.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR KID like to be f…
Not invited to a party! (Alice, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:04
Ep. 94 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What we can control and what we can’tAlice wonders what to do when her good friend doesn't invite her to a party.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.p…
What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:17
Ep. 92 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Supportive vs. unsupportive responses to a sad friend Mason wants to know what to say to a friend who is feeling down that won't make the friend feel worse! FREE quiz: Is Your Child a…