In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Caroline Maguire about friendship, neurodivergence, masking, and building authentic relationships.

Dr. Dave discusses how parents can help kids make friends without making them feel like they have to change who they are, how to understand the difference between practicing social skills and masking, and how to support kids who over-apologize, over-explain, or spiral after awkward social moments. He also offer advice on navigating social anxiety, loneliness, and friendship expectations — and talks about how adults can model healthier friendship habits for kids.

This episode offers practical, compassionate guidance for helping children build meaningful connections, tolerate the ups and downs of friendship, and find relationships where they feel accepted for who they really are.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:

• How to help kids make friends without pressuring them to change who they are
• Why one awkward moment does not mean a friendship is ruined
• What to do when kids say they “don’t need friends”
• How to help kids who move too quickly from meeting someone to “best friend”
• How adults can model boundaries, repair, and healthier friendship habits

Further Reading

• How to Help Kids Who Are Lonely
• Helping Young Children Who Are Socially Anxious
• How to Help Kids Who Are Too Hard on Themselves
• Caroline Maguire
• Why Will No One Will Play With Me

From gentle parenting to strict rules about screen time, today’s parents are constantly bombarded with advice about the “right” way to raise their kids. But how much of that advice is actually supported by research?

In this special Summer Hot Takes episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with developmental psychologist, bestselling author, and Raising Good Humans podcast host Dr. Aliza Pressman to explore some of parenting’s most talked-about topics. Together, they discuss why it’s important for any approach to be rooted in science, how authoritative parenting (not to be confused with the harder-to-define gentle parenting) balances warmth with boundaries, and how families can develop healthier relationships with technology.

They also talk about the importance of letting kids experience disappointment, navigate failure, and learn from difficult emotions without treating every feeling like an emergency. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Dave and Dr. Pressman remind parents that thoughtful, flexible parenting is the goal, not perfection.

In this episode, they cover:

• What people often mean when they talk about “gentle parenting” and common misunderstandings about the term
• What authoritative parenting is and why it remains one of the most evidence-supported parenting approaches
• Practical ways to create healthier screen habits for children and teens
• Why boredom, waiting, and feeling lonely sometimes can help kids build resilience and independence
• How to help kids tolerate disappointment, failure, and rejection

Key takeaways

• Healthy screen habits focus on balance, connection, and intentional use.
• Kids benefit from experiencing age-appropriate disappointment and failure.
• Parents don’t need to solve every emotion immediately to support emotional health.
• Parenting trends come and go, but warmth combined with clear boundaries remains the most effective approach.

Further reading from the Child Mind Institute

· Helping Kids With Flexible Thinking

· Three Common Parenting Traps

· How to Set Limits on Screen Time

More from Dr. Aliza Pressman

· Raising Good Humans With Dr. Aliza (podcast)

· The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans

Back-to-school season can bring a lot of excitement, but it can also bring anxiety — stressful mornings, friendship worries, homework battles, and questions about how to help kids adjust after summer break.

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson tackles some of the biggest concerns families face as a new school year begins. From how to tell the difference between normal first-day jitters and more serious anxiety to how to reset kids’ sleep routines after summer, Dr. Dave offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies you can put into practice right away.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:

• How to recognize the difference between typical back-to-school nerves and anxiety that may require extra support
• Practical ways to reset sleep schedules, screen time, and morning routines after the summer break
• How to help children build friendships and navigate worries about fitting in
• Why stomachaches and headaches can sometimes be signs of anxiety — and when to seek a medical evaluation
• Strategies for supporting students with ADHD, learning disorders, and executive functioning challenges
• How to partner effectively with teachers at the beginning of the school year

Key Takeaways

• Small, gradual routine changes make the back-to-school transition easier for children.
• Anxiety about going to school is common, but persistent school avoidance can benefit from early support.
• Strong parent-teacher partnerships help children succeed academically and emotionally.
• Sleep, consistent routines, and healthy technology habits create a stronger foundation for learning.
• Family schedules should prioritize wellness, not just productivity.

Further Reading

Back-to-School Hub

The Child Mind Institute’s comprehensive collection of expert advice for preparing children and families for the new school year.

Help for School Refusal

Managing Back-to-School Anxiety