Friend acts different when others aren’t around (Charlotte, Age 7)

Friend acts different when others aren’t around (Charlotte, Age 7)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. June 21, 2025 Duration: 5:28

Ep. 106: Different Kinds of Friends

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.

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*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Think of two situations involving other people where you act differently (e.g., at home vs. at school, with close friends vs. casual friends, at a party with friends vs. at a party with your grandparents). How and why do you act differently in these two situations?

- Not every friend will be a close friend. What are some good reasons to have casual friends?

- Have you ever felt uncomfortable around people you didn’t know well? What did you do? What could someone have done in that situation to help you feel more comfortable? Have you ever done that for someone else?

- Dr. Friendtastic often talks about many possible reasons why someone might have done something, other than trying to be mean. Why is this a good thing to do when you have a problem with a friend? (HINT: How might it affect how you respond?)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 71 - Is she a friend or not? (Tali, Age 11) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep71-tali-age-11-is-she-a-friend-or-not

Ep. 60 - Friends invited but not him (Henry, Age 8) https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-drfriendtastic-ep60-henry-age-8

Ep. 26 - Friendship doesn't have to be all or nothing (Abigail, Age 10) 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

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

Duration: 7:37
Ep. 143 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being flexible with friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? htt…
Best friend replaces her! (Alice, Age 6) | 142 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:40
Ep. 142 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being friendly vs. being friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend…
How to Have a Conversation - for Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:27
REPLAY of Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | Friendship advice for kidsNo one is born knowing how to have a good conversation! In this episode, I share five practical tips to help k…
Can we be friends with anyone? (Michael, Age 9) | 141 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:46
Ep. 141 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being friendly vs. being friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend…
Friend lies and boasts (Martha, Age 9) | 140 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:29
Ep. 140 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: When a friend tries to seem better than she is | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child…
Friend copies her (Jemma, Age 12) | 139 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:17
Ep. 139 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Copycat friend | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenke…
When “joking” is mean, not funny (Seb, Age 11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:58
Ep. 138 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to respond to mean comments from friends or others | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Yo…
Best friend won’t let her have other friends (Antonella, Age 10) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:47
Ep. 137 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Anchor friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenke…
How long should you keep a friend? (Matthew, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:35
Ep. 136 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Helping friendships last | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https:…
How to make a new friend (Aida, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:07
Ep. 135 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Starting a friendship | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://e…