When “joking” is mean, not funny (Seb, Age 11)

When “joking” is mean, not funny (Seb, Age 11)

Author: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health. March 7, 2026 Duration: 5:58

Ep. 138 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to respond to mean comments from friends or others | Friendship advice for kids

Parents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.

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 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 that another kid said something that hurt or upset you. What happened? How did you handle it?

- What are some reasons someone might say something that hurts your feelings without trying to be mean? Why is it important to assume a friend has good intentions?

- Why should your approach to unfunny joking be different depending on whether or not the joker is a friend? (Hint: Why should you only share your feelings with people who care about you?)

- How can telling a friend how you’re feeling improve your friendship?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 136 - How long should you keep a friend? (Matthew, Age 7)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-long-should-you-keep-a-friend

Ep. 111 - Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep111-friend-wont-forgive-her-thea-age11

Ep. 106 - Friend acts different when others aren’t around (Charlotte, Age 7)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep106-friend-acts-different-when-others-arent-around-charlotte



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
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…
Not picked to play on team (Charlie, Age 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:56
Ep. 125 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Watch then blend | Friendship advice for kidsParents, check out my online workshops for kids at workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.FREE quiz: Is Your Child a Good Friend? https://eileen…