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

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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

Latest Episodes:

What scares you? (Katie, Age 8) Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

Re-release of Ep. 108 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Strategies for facing fears | 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 learn.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 were you afraid of when you were younger but aren't afraid of now? How did you become unafraid of that?

– Think of a time when you felt anxious in a social situation. What thoughts were going through your mind (i.e., what were you afraid might happen)? How did you handle the situation?

– Dr. Friendtastic said, "Feeling anxious can lead them to avoid social situations, but that guarantees they're not going to build the friendships they want." How could you explain that in your own words?

– There are two main ways to cope with anxiety: Jump right in or go in toe-by-toe. Which do you generally prefer and why?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

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

Ep. 112 - How to Show Openness to Friendship

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

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

Not picked to play on team (Charlie, Age 9) Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

Re-release of Ep. 125 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Adding to the fun | 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 learn.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 to pick teams that are fair and kind to everyone?

– Why is it sometimes hard for kids to be a good sport?

– How do you decide who to play with at recess? (Hint: What might make you choose to try to join one group of kids but not another?)

– Have you ever "started the fun" at recess? If so, what did you do? If not, what fun game or activity could you try to start with other kids?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

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

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

Ep. 7 – Emma, Age 11: Friend is a poor sport

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

Best friend doesn’t want to play with her! (Hazel, Age 6.5) | 165 Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

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.

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

*** 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

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

What do we owe people who are not our friends? | 164 Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

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

Is her friend lying?! (Nova, Age 7) | 163 Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

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

How to deal with friendship drama (Serena, Age 11) | 162 Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

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

He doesn’t want to be friends with someone (Julian, Age 8) | 161 Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

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

How to say no to a friend without feeling bad (Blaire, Age 12) Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

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

Friends punish her?! (River, Age 9)| 160 Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

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

Losing her best friend! (Ellie, Age 10) | 159 Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

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