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Best friend doesn’t want to play with her! (Hazel, Age 6.5) | 165

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8) | Oct 10 2026 | 00:05:41

Ep. 165 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Smoothing over friction in friendship | Friendship advice for kids

FREE guide for parents: 12 ways to help your child make friends

https://drfriendtastic.com/gift/

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

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.

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*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What does friction mean? Why is it always part of friendship?

- What do you expect from a close friend (versus a stranger)? What could you do if a friend doesn’t meet those expectations?

- When (not if) a friend does something you don’t like, why is it NOT helpful to assume that means they are a mean and terrible friend?

- Why is it not a good idea to insist that a friend always has to play only with you? (Hint: How might that make the friend feel?)

= How could caring about a friend help smooth out friction between the two of you?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 143 - Friend won’d play the game he likes (Akiva, Age 5)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep143-friends-wont-play-the-game-he-likes-akiva-age-5

Ep. 127 - Friend wants space (Sloane, Age 6)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep127-friend-wants-space-sloane-age-6

Ep. 5 - Friend doesn’t do what I want (Edith, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-af3



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