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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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