What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13)

What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. February 22, 2025 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 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:

- Think of a time when you were feeling down and someone tried to comfort you. What did they do? How did it make you feel?

- Why is saying, “I had something even worse happen to me!” not usually a caring thing to say?

- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Any advice that begins with the words, “You should just…” is probably wrong.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 90 - Alma, Age 7: Friend breaks a promise

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep90-alma-age-7-friend-breaks-a-promise

Ep. 86 - Sally, Age 14: How to know if you can trust a friend

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep86-sally-age-14-how-to-know-if-you-can-trust-a-friend

Ep. 73 - J.J., Age 11: Best friend stops playing with him

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep73-jj-age-11-best-friend-stops-playing-with-him



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 do more “mature” things than she does (Evie, Age 10) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:46
Ep. 134 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friends growing up too fast? | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? ht…
Can he be friends with people who don’t like him? (John, Age 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:20
Ep. 133 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Say no to one-way friendships | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? h…
Friend won’t talk about problem (Monet, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:15
Ep. 132- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding the right words in a conflict | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Fr…
They have lots of playdates, and he doesn’t (Matthew, Age 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:36
Ep. 131 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Giving versus getting as a friend | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Frien…
Should she quit the team? (Summer, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:29
Ep. 130 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Ways to contribute to a team | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? ht…
Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:06
Ep. 129 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Big friendship break-up, slow fade, or something else? | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Yo…
When you cry easily (Beth, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:38
Ep. 128 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 5 Things to Do When You Feel Like Crying But Don't Want To | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: I…
Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:56
Ep. 127 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Closeness vs. separateness in friendship | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Goo…
The Right Gift for a Friend (Saanvi, Age 12) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:12
Re-release Ep. 37 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The Joy of Giving | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? htt…
How to Have a Conversation - for Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:27
Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Frie…