How to Deal with an Octopus Friend (Mara, Age 9)

How to Deal with an Octopus Friend (Mara, Age 9)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. May 24, 2025 Duration: 6:02

Re-release of Ep. 13 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friend doesn't want her to have other friends (Mara, Age 9)

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:

- Have you ever had an Octopus friend, someone who wanted to keep you all to themselves? How did you handle it?

- Why do you think trying to hold on tightly to a friend because you’re scared of losing them makes it more likely that you’ll lose them?

- Have you ever had a friendship where you liked the other person more than they liked you? How did you feel? What did you do?

- Having more than one friend can be tricky. How do you decide which friend(s) to play with and when?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 84 - Torn between two friends who don’t like each other (Jennifer, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep84-jennifer-age-10-torn-between-two-friends-who-dont-like-each-other

Ep. 4 - One friend feels left out (Thomas, Age 13)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-71f

Ep. 17 - Balancing a best friend and another friend (Sophie, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sophie



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
BONUS Episode: Fear and Bravery - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:10
Hi there,Yesterday I shared the exciting launch of Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings - and this morning brings both Part 2 of the first theme AND the start of the next one!Fear & Bravery Part 2 is now avai…
BONUS Episode: Fear and Bravery - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
Hi there,I'm thrilled to share something special I've been part of creating, and I think you and your child are going to love it.Introducing: Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings! This is a brand-new, limited…
How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:02
Ep. 117 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Building trust between friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend?…
Sister barges in on her friends (Mia, Age 11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:23
Ep. 116 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding a balance between family and friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a…
Her lies hurt her friendships (Sofia, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:41
Ep. 115 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Building a habit of honesty | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? htt…
Choosing friends who are a good influence (Paul, Age 12) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:35
Re-release of Ep. 67: Peer pressure vs. peer influence | Friendship advice for kidsFREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR KID like to be featured on the podcast?SU…
Friend is ignoring her! (Emma, Age 13) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:32
Ep. 114: Positive versus Negative AttentionFREE 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…
Birthday Party Crisis! (Haya, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:58
Ep. 113: Choosing between two friends' parties 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…
How to Show Openness to Friendship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:39
Ep. 112: Moving past a friendship rough spot in a boy-girl friendship | Friendship advice for kidsFREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR KID like to be featured on…
Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 10) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:42
Ep. 111: Moving past a friendship rough spot in a boy-girl friendship | Friendship advice for kidsFREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWould YOUR KID like to be featured on…