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Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Advice for Kids (K-8)

Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic is a weekly, 5-min. podcast for children about making and keeping friends. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a kid (gr. K-8) plus a practical and thought-provoking answer from Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (aka Dr. Friendtastic,) an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, NJ. For transcripts and discussion questions: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. To submit a question: https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit. For parent resources: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

drfriendtastic.substack.com

Oct 03 2026 | 00:06:00

Ep. 164 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Avoiding empathy blindspots | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Sometimes kids think they only have to be kind to people they know and like. What could you say to argue against that idea?

- What do you expect from a close friend? What do you expect from someone who is not your friend? How and why are these expectations different?

- Why would it be unkind to have a party and invite everyone in a group except one person? What could you do instead?

- What is an empathy blindspot?

- How might being mean to someone end up hurting you?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 154 - Friends say she’s bossy, but they’re bossy (Lola, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friends-say-shes-bossy-but-theyre

Ep. 141 - Can we be friends with anyone? (Michael, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep141-can-we-be-friends-with-anyone-michael-age9

Ep. 71 - Is she a friend or not? (Tali, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep71-tali-age-11-is-she-a-friend-or-not



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 26 2026 | 00:08:01

Ep. 163 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why friends lie and what to do about it | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Why is it sometimes hard for kids to tell the truth? (Hint: What might they be afraid could happen if they tell the truth?)

- What’s the difference between lying and saying something that’s not true? (Hint: What are some examples of statements that are not true but also not a lie?)

- How might telling lies hurt a friendship?

- Do you think telling a lie can ever be a kind thing to do? Why or why not?

- Why is it not a good idea to accuse a friend of being a liar?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 140 - Friend lies and boasts (Martha, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep140-friend-lies-and-boasts-martha-age-9

Ep. 20 - Lying friend (Anna, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-20-anna

Ep. 115 - Her lies hurt her friendship (Sofia, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep115-her-lies-hurt-her-friendships-sofia-age8



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 19 2026 | 00:06:37

Ep. 162 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Prevent conflict from exploding into drama | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What’s the difference between friendship drama versus conflict?

- Why do you think some people get involved in more friendship drama than others?

- What are some ways to prevent conflict from turning into drama?

- Dr. Friendtastic suggests avoiding saying “You always…”, or “You never…” or “You think…” or “You’re just trying to…” Why are these comments unhelpful? (Hint: How would your friend be likely to respond if you said them?)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 91 - Arguments with a friend (Kenna & Scarlett, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep91-kenna-and-scarlett-age-8-arguments-with-a-friend

Ep. 155 - Friend is jealous and possessive (Miranda, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep155-friend-is-jealous-and-possessive-miranda-age8

Ep. 59 - Get rid of toxic friends? (Jessie, Age 13)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep59-jessie-age-13 



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 12 2026 | 00:07:32

Ep. 161 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Is there a kind way to reject someone? | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- How do you decide whether to share your opinion or keep it to yourself?

- Have you ever been in a situation where someone wanted to be friends with you, but you weren’t interested in being friends with them? How did you handle it?

- Have you ever had someone reject your efforts to be friends with them or just not like you as much as you like them? How did they let you know? How do you wish they’d let you know? How did you respond?

- Dr. Friendtastic said, “Everyone has a right to be treated with kindness and respect.” What does that mean you should do with people who are not your friends?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 141 - Can we be friends with anyone? (Michael, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep141-can-we-be-friends-with-anyone-michael-age9

Ep. 129 - Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep129-kindest-way-to-break-up-with-a-friend-audrey-age-9

Ep. 12 - Get rid of toxic friends? (Jessie, Age 13)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep59-jessie-age-13



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 05 2026 | 00:05:38

Re-release of Ep. 55 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Saying no can save a 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.

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 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?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 154 - Friends say she’s bossy, but they’re bossy (Lola, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/friends-say-shes-bossy-but-theyre

Ep. 109 - What does it mean to be yourself? (Charlotte, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep109-what-does-it-mean-to-be-true-to-self-charlotte-age11

Ep. 79 - Sending and receiving Stop Signals (Owen, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep70-owen-age-8-stop-signals



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 29 2026 | 00:06:15

Ep. 160- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Recognizing stop signs | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What message does it send a friend if you ignore that friend’s stop sign?

- Why do kids sometimes have trouble responding to stop signs from their friends?

- Have you ever asked someone to stop and they didn’t listen? How did you feel? Why do you think they didn’t stop? How did you handle the situation?

- Why is it not okay for friends to punish each other? How is punishment different from a logical consequence? (Hint: A logical consequence is the natural result of an action. For instance, if you are mean to a friend, the logical consequence is that the friend won’t want to be around you. If you blab a friend’s secret, the logical consequence is that friend won’t trust you with another secret. )

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 43 - Friend cut her hair! (Beatrix, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/beatrix-age-8-friend-cuts-her-hair

Ep. 41 - Friends won't listen to stop or no (Tessa, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/tessa-age-9-boundaries

Ep. 3 - Kid tries to wreck game (Noelle, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-4b8



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 22 2026 | 00:06:22

Ep. 159- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What to do when a friendship is fading | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What are some reasons why kids’ friendships sometimes fall apart?

- What would you do if you noticed a friend was suddenly acting more distant?

- Why do friends sometimes refuse to tell you what’s wrong when there’s a problem between you? (Hint: What might they be afraid of?)

- If a friend told you they were mad at you because of something you did, what could you do to make things better between you? What should you avoid doing in that situation?

- What do you think it means to show up as your best self? Why is that important?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 151 - Why is it so hard to say, “I’m sorry”? (Minta, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep151-why-is-it-so-hard-to-say-im-sorry-minta-age-almost-10

Ep. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else

Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)

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

Aug 15 2026 | 00:07:14

Ep. 158- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Truth, falsehood, and different perspectives | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Students and teachers can have important and deeply caring relationships, but they can’t be friends. Why not?

- What is the lesson of the story about three blind men describing an elephant?

- How might understanding that different people can have different views about the same situation or event help you deal with a friendship rough spot?

- Why do players in a sport agree to go along with what the umpire decides, even if they don’t agree?

- Dr. Friendtastic said, “We can’t always win a game, but we can always win the fun.” How do you win the fun while playing with friends?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 75: Upset when he loses a game (Alex, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep75-alex-age-a10-upset-when-he-loses-a-game

Ep. 140 - Friend lies and boasts (Martha, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep140-friend-lies-and-boasts-martha-age-9

Ep. 20 - Lying friend (Anna, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-20-anna



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 08 2026 | 00:05:55

Ep. 157- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Staying connected when you're not together | 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.

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 a friend in a different classroom? What did you do to try to stay connected? Why is it sometimes hard for friends in different classrooms to stay close?

- What are some things you do or would like to do with friends outside of school?

- Why is it important to ask friends about what’s happening in their lives when you’re not around and tell them about what’s happening in your life when they’re not around? What’s the difference between being nosy and being an interested friend?

- What do you think Dr. Friendtastic means when she suggests that Lily try to open-hearted? (Hint: She mentions Lily making other friends, and Lily’s friend making other friends.)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 110 - Being apart from a friend (Matilda, Age 5)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep110-being-apart-from-a-friend-matilda-age5

Ep 120 - Best friend is playing with someone else (Metis, Age 6)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep120-best-friend-playing-with-someone-else-metis-6-dutch

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

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



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 01 2026 | 00:07:44

Ep. 156- Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Having another friend isn't a betrayal | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- If you’re having a conflict with someone, do you think your friend has to be on your side, against the other kid? Why or why not? Why might your friend not want to take sides?

- Have you ever been in a situation where another kid didn’t like you? Why didn’t they like you? How did you feel about them? How did things end up between you?

- Dr. Friendtastic lists a bunch of things that could make the situation worse: Criticizing the friend’s other friend, acting grumpy around the friend, or insisting that the friend has to choose sides. Why are these NOT good options? (Hint: How is the friend likely to react?)

- Why does Dr. Friendtastic encourage Ian to try to imagine the other kids’ feelings? (Hint: How might that be helpful for Ian?) Why does she focus on what Ian could do, rather than what the friend should do?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12) 

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal  

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. 77 - Friend is nicer to someone else (Maya, Age 8) 

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep77-maya-age-8-friend-is-nicer-to-someone-else 



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jul 25 2026 | 00:06:26

Ep. 155 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding a balance between caring and freedom | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What is your favorite possession and why? Would you feel comfortable letting another kid use or borrow it? Why or why not?

- What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says we can’t own friends?

- Would you continue to be friends with someone who hit you? Why or why not?

- Why do you think the friend felt upset when Miranda played with someone else? What could the friend have done to handle the situation better?

- Have you ever worried that you might lose a friend to someone else? How did you handle that?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11) 

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

Ep. 121 - Close friend and new friend leave her out (Sara, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep121-close-friend-and-new-friend-leave-her-out-sara-age8

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

Jul 18 2026 | 00:07:33

Ep. 154 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Listen to be heard | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What’s the difference between being bossy and being a leader?

What are some not-so-good ways that kids might try to get another kid to do what they want? What could they do instead?

Why is an “I” statement easier for people to hear than a “You” accusation?

What does it mean to look for agreement rather than control with friends?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 149 Friends aren’t listening to her! (Bella, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep149-friends-arent-listening-to-her-bella-age-10

Ep. 126 - How to have a conversation - for kids

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/replay-ep126-how-to-have-a-conversation-for-kids

Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jul 11 2026 | 00:08:26

Ep. 153 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Don't give up a good friendship because it's not perfect | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What is the difference between not invited versus excluded? Why does that difference matter? (Hint: Think about the intention of the host.)

- What are some non-mean reasons why you might do something with one friend but not another?

- Why is it not a good idea to yell at someone for not inviting you?

- All-or-nothing thinking means believing something has to be perfect or it’s worthless. Why is this not a useful way to think about friendship?

- Dr. Friendtastic said, “What your friends do when you’re not around is not your concern.” What does that mean? Do you agree? Why or why not?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

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

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

Ep. 51 - Mean comment said behind her back (Saoirse, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/saoirse-age-8-mean-comment-said-behind

Ep. 26 - Friendship doesn’t have to be all or nothing (Abigail, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-26-abigail



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jul 04 2026 | 00:06:34

Re-release Ep. 42 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 4 Areas of 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What are some ways that you are a good friend? (Hint: what do you do to show your friends you like and care about them?)

- Why is it sometimes hard to be a good friend?

- Thinking about the different friendship areas Dr. Friendtastic highlighted, fun, support, closeness, and handling conflicts, which do you think is the hardest to do well? Why?

- What could you do to try to become an even better friend? (Think about all the areas and questions mentioned in the podcast episode.)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason. Age 13)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down

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. 124 - How to Join Kids Playing (Amelia, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep124-how-to-join-kids-playing-amelia-age9



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jun 27 2026 | 00:07:23

Ep. 152 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why reaching out to former friends is scary and also kind | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What are some reasons why friends might fall out of touch (even if they still live nearby)?

- Do you have any old friends you’ve lost touch with? Would you want to reconnect with them? Why or why not? How could you reach out to them? How do you think they’d respond?

- How would you respond if an old friend you hadn’t heard from in a while reached out to you?

- To expand your friendship circle, you could make new friends or reach out to old friends you haven’t connected with in a while. Which do you think is easier? Why?

- Why do you think kids are sometimes reluctant to reach out to old friends? What could you say to a friend to encourage them to reach out to their former friends?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 82 - Expand friend group without hurting best friend (Paa, Age 12)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep82-paa-age-12-expand-friend-group-without-hurting-best-friend

Ep. 71 - Is she a friend or not? (Tali, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep71-tali-age-11-is-she-a-friend-or-not

Ep. 67 - Choosing good friends (Paul, Age 12)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/paul-age-12-choosing-friends-who



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jun 20 2026 | 00:05:52

Ep. 151 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: An apology is an expression of caring | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Is it hard or easy for you to apologize? Why? Why do you think kids sometimes struggle to apologize?

- Think of a time when you apologized to someone. How did you feel? How did that person respond?

- Think of a time when you wanted someone to apologize to you. What happened? Did they apologize? How did you feel?

- Why does Dr. Friendtastic suggest, “The person who is least wrong should apologize first”?

- Sometimes people say, “An apology isn’t good enough!” What do you think they might be looking for beyond the words “I’m sorry”?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

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

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

Ep. 91 - Arguments with a friend (Kenna & Scarlett, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep91-kenna-and-scarlett-age-8-arguments-with-a-friend

Ep. 14 - Feeling guilty, wanting to make up with a friend (Rowan, Age 12)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-14-rowan



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jun 13 2026 | 00:07:45

Ep. 150 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship Puzzlers about conflict | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What do you think would happen if you put 150 penguins on two school buses?

- Why is it a good idea to try to be friendly with your friend’s other friends?

- What does it mean to “assume good intent”? How can this help a friendship?

- Why is it important to help your friends understand what you think, feel, or need?

- Which is easier for you to move past, when you make a mistake with a friend or when a friend makes a mistake with you? Why? Why is it important to be able to move past both types of mistakes? (Hint: How could it hurt a friendship if you hold onto either resentment or guilt?)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 33 - Richard, Age 11: Best ways to show empathy

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-33-richard

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. 100 - Celebrating Episode 100!!!

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep100-celebrating



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Jun 06 2026 | 00:07:13

Ep. 149 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to make yourself heard | 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.

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 felt like a friend wasn’t hearing you? How did you handle it?

- Why is listening an important part of friendship?

- What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says, “The lounder you yell, the harder it is for people to hear you”?

- What is a Yes-No argument? Why do you think kids sometimes get stuck in those? What could they do instead?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 97 - How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, Age 7)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep97-how-and-why-to-understand-a-friends

Ep. 78 - How to confront a friend

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep78-how-to-confront-a-friend

Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

May 30 2026 | 00:07:42

Ep. 148 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 7 clues to figure out how a friend feels | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Why is it important to try to understand how a friend is feeling?

- What are the seven clues that can tell us how someone is feeling?

- Think about a time when someone didn’t understand how you were feeling. How did you handle that situation?

- Some people are better than others at communicating about their feelings. Think of the people you know. Whose feelings are easiest to understand? Whose are hardest to guess? Why?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 102 - How to express your feelings with friends (Aida, Age 5)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep102-how-to-express-your-feelings-with-friends

Ep. 97 - How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, Age 5)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep97-how-and-why-to-understand-a-friends

Ep. 33 - Best ways to show empathy (Richard, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-33-richard



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

May 23 2026 | 00:06:04

Re-release Ep. 57 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The upside of disagreements | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Describe a conflict you had with a friend. What happened? What was your friend’s point of view and what was yours? How did the conflict affect your friendship?

- Dr. Friendtastic says that conflict can be a way for friends to learn about each other. What does that mean?

- When might it be a good idea to give in and do what your friend wants, even though it isn’t exactly what you want? When is it NOT a good idea to do this?

- Why is it important to try to understand what a friend is thinking or feeling? (Hint: What could happen if we just insist on what we want?)

- What are some things you can do or not do to make conflicts with a friend less painful?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 73 - Best friend suddenly stops playing with him (J.J., Age 11)

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

Ep. 103 - Friend butt into conflict with other friend (Grace, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep103-friends-butt-into-conflict-with-other-friend

Ep. 132 - Friend won’t talk about problem (Monet, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep132-friend-wont-talk-about-problem-monet-age-9



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

May 16 2026 | 00:08:01

Ep. 147 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendly versus unfriendly teasing | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Do you have a nickname? If so, who calls you that, and how do you feel about it? If not, would you like a nickname? Why or why not?

- Have you ever been teased in a way you found hurtful? What happened? How did you handle it?

- What are some reasons a good friend might accidentally say something hurtful?

- How might you handle things differently if a hurtful name or comment came from a friend versus someone who is not a friend?

- Dr. Friendtastic says you should only criticize someone’s appearance if it’s something they can quickly fix, and you can mention it privately. Why are these important guidelines? (Hint: How are people likely to feel if they can’t easily fix whatever it is, or if other people hear your negative comments?)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 95 - Handling embarrassing moments (Sara, Age 7)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep95-handling-embarrassing-moments-sara-age-7

Ep. 29 - Dealing with teasing (Abby, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-29-abby

Ep. 25 - Moving past us-versus-them thinking (Bryson, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-25-bryson



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

May 09 2026 | 00:06:38

Ep. 146 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Moving past guilt | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Why do you think kids sometimes take things that don’t belong to them? Why is stealing not a good idea?

- Describe a time when you were tempted to do something you knew was wrong but didn’t. How did you resist the temptation?

- What does “make amends” mean? Why is it a good thing to do in relationships? What could you do to make amends if you accidentally broke a friend’s toy?

- Dr. Friendtastic says, “Situational control is always easier than self-control.” What does that mean? How could you set up your situation to make sure you get dressed quickly in the morning? How could you set up your situation to make sure you do your work instead of getting distracted at school?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal

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

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

Ep. 1 – Naomi, Age 7: Friendship ends over small thing

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-1



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

May 02 2026 | 00:06:46

Ep. 145 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: He doesn’t like one kid in the group (Joe, Age 9) | 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.

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 to get along with someone you don’t particularly like? How did you handle that?

- How can disliking someone (and telling people you don’t like that person!) hurt your friendships with other kids?

- Dr. Friendtastic said that staying away from a group because you don’t like one person “would be giving this one kid a lot of power to influence who you play with and what you do.” What does this mean?

- Why is trying to kick someone out of a group an unkind thing to do?

- Why might flooding someone you don’t like with kindness be a useful strategy? (Hint: How are they likely to respond?) When would this strategy not be a good idea?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 138 - When joking is mean, not funny (Seb, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep138-when-joking-is-mean-not-funny-seb-age11

Ep. 12 - Kid bullies him at recess (Adrian, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-12-adrian

Ep. 3 - Kid tries to wreck game (Noelle, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-episode-4b8



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Apr 25 2026 | 00:06:45

Ep. 144 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: You don't have to stay on the outside looking in | 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.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER, https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com, to get podcast episodes sent to your email plus articles for parents.

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- What are some reasons why it’s sometimes hard to join a group of kids?

- Why is it important to match the emotional tone of a conversation if you want to join a group?

- What do you look for when you decide whether to try to join a group?

- Do you think you are open to having kids join you if you are hanging out with friends at school or at an activity? What could you do to make another kid feel welcome?

- Do you always have to include people who want to join your group? Why or why not?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 112 - How to Show Openness to Friendship

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep112-how-to-show-openness-to-friendship

Ep. 85 - Fitting in versus being true to yourself (Nev, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep85-nev-age-11-fitting-in-versus-being-true-to-yourself

Ep. 98 - How to join a group when not everyone wants you in (Jessica, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep98-jessica-age9-how-to-join-a-group-when-not-everyone-wants-you-in



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Apr 18 2026 | 00:07:37

Ep. 143 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being flexible with friends | 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:

- When a person is flexible, it means they can adjust to new, unexpected, or unwanted situations. What is an example of someone being flexible with friends? What is an example of someone being rigid with friends?

- How do these two styles (flexible or rigid) affect friendships?

- Does being flexible mean you never get to do what you want? Why or why not?

- Why is it hard to be flexible when we’re upset?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

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

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

Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai

Ep. 28 - Dealing with spill-over anger (Avni, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-28-avni



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Apr 11 2026 | 00:05:40

Ep. 142 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being friendly vs. being friends | 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:

- If you could be any age, what age would you choose to be and why?

- Have you ever moved or had a friend move away from you? What happened?

- Do you think it’s fair that Alice’s best friend found a new best friend after Alice moved away? Why or why not?

- What would you do if you found out that you and your family had to move far away from where you live now? How would you try to stay in touch with old friends? How would you make new friends?

- How is life (and friendship) like a leaf, floating downstream?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 72 - Making friends in a new school (Nora, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep72-nora-age-8-making-friends-new-schl

Ep. 117 - How to tell if a friend is loyal (Julian, Age 12)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/how-to-tell-if-a-friend-is-loyal 

Ep. 62: All About Forgiveness

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep62-all-about-forgiveness



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Apr 04 2026 | 00:06:27

REPLAY of Ep. 126 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Talking and Listening with Friends | Friendship advice for kids

No one is born knowing how to have a good conversation! In this episode, I share five practical tips to help kids chat more comfortably with others.

🎁 My gift to you — 3 free mini-guides for parents: https://eileenkennedymoore.com/free-mini-guides/

Online workshops for kids: workshops.eileenkennedymoore.com.

🎙️ Would YOUR KID like to be on the podcast? Submit a question at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Not psychotherapy or for emergencies.)

Easy-to-read transcript: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

Like the podcast? Check out my books: https://EileenKennedyMoore.com

Never miss an episode! https://DrFriendtastic.substack.com

*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Why do you think kids sometimes feel nervous about talking with other people? (Hint: What might they be afraid of?)

- Who do you enjoy chatting with? Why? (Hint: What do they do that makes your conversation enjoyable?)

- How could you answer the question “How are you?” using the “Great!”-plus-one-fact formula? (Reminder: The “one fact” should create a picture in the listener's mind.) Why might this be a useful formula for conversations?

- Dr. Friendtastic says, “focus on being interested more than interesting.” What does that mean? Why might it be a helpful approach to conversations?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 72 - Making friends in a new school (Nora, Age 8)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep72-nora-age-8-making-friends-new-schl 

Ep. 70 - Knowing when and how to stop (Owen, Age 8)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep70-owen-age-8-stop-signals 

Ep. 92 - What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13)  https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep92-mason-age-13-what-to-say-when-a-friend-feels-down



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 28 2026 | 00:05:46

Ep. 141 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Being friendly vs. being friends | 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:

- What is the difference between being friendly and being friends?

- Why is it generally a good idea to be friendly with people even if they are not your friends?

- What are some reasons why two kids might not want to be friends with each other?

- Dr. Friendtastic said, “Friendship is not all-or-nothing.” What does that mean? (Hint: What are some different kinds of friends you have?)

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 133 - Can he be friends with people who don’t like him? (John, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep133-can-he-be-friends-with-people-who-dont-like-him-john-8

Ep. 129 - Kindest way to break up with a friend (Audrey, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep129-kindest-way-to-break-up-with-a-friend-audrey-age-9

Ep. 122 - Excluded because he’s a boy (Calvin, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep122-excluded-because-hes-a-boy-calvin



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 21 2026 | 00:06:29

Ep. 140 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: When a friend tries to seem better than she is | 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:

- What are three truths and a lie about you? (Also explain which statement is not true and why.)

- Would you like to have a Flemish Giant rabbit for a pet? Why or why not? (Look up a picture of them if you’re not sure.)

- What are some reasons why kids might lie? Why does Dr. Friendtastic think Martha’s friend might be lying?

- How might lying to impress friends backfire? (Hint: How will friends feel if they find out they’ve been tricked?)

- When someone says something that’s not true, how can you tell if they’re lying, playing, or just mistaken?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 53 - How to stay calm when someone is bragging (Lillian, Age 11)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/lillian-age-11-how-to-stay-calm-when

Ep. 20 - Lying friend (Anna, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-20-anna

Ep. 115 - Her lies hurt her friendship (Sofia, Age 8)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/ep115-her-lies-hurt-her-friendships-sofia-age8



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

Mar 14 2026 | 00:07:17

Ep. 139 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Copycat friend | 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:

- What are some reasons why a kid might copy another kid?

- Why do you think kids often feel annoyed when someone copies them?

- What’s the difference between copying someone versus being inspired by someone?

- How is copying someone’s outfit or favorite sports team different from copying someone’s art or writing?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 18 - Building great leadership skills (Kai, Age 9)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-18-kai

Ep. 31: When someone tries to be annoying (Mila, age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep31-mila

Ep. 30 - Why do some kids push others around? (Michael, Age 10)

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-30-michael



Get full access to Dr. Friendtastic for Parents at drfriendtastic.substack.com/subscribe

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