Say no without feeling bad (Blaire, Age 12)

Say no without feeling bad (Blaire, Age 12)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. April 20, 2024 Duration: 4:24

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.

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*** 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

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
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…
Arguments with a friend (Kenna & Scarlett, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:32
Ep. 91 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: This important assumption helps you move past a friendship rough spot Kenna and Scarlett, who want to know what to do when they start arguing. FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? h…
Friend breaks a promise (Alma, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:00
Ep. 90 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why friends sometimes let us downAlma wants to know what to do about a friend who broke her promiseFREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098f…
Getting in trouble (Noah, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:27
Ep. 89 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to deal with an angry personNoah is frustrated that he got in trouble. How can he handle it?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWou…
How to support an injured friend (Sophia, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:55
Ep. 88 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Practical support, emotional support, and the importance of on-going support.Sophia wants to know how to support a friend who has broken her leg.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend?…
People passing notes about her (Leni, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:01
Ep. 87 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Figuring out what we can and can’t control.Leni feels hurt and angry that kids are passing notes about her. What can she do?FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkenned…
How to know if you can trust a friend (Sally, Age 14) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:17
Ep. 86 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What makes a trustworthy friend?Sally wants to know how she can tell if a friend is trustworthy.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenkennedymoore.ck.page/e37dcc098fWou…
Fitting in versus being true to yourself (Nev, Age 11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:36
Ep. 85 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: No friend group has more power than you. Nev wonders what her mom means when she says, "No friend group has more power than you."FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileenk…
Fights with close friends (Eloise, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:20
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/e37dcc098…