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

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

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

By: Eileen Kennedy-Moore PhD author psychologist focusing on children's feelings children's friendships parenting mental health.
Listen for free

About this listen

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.comEileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD
Episodes
  • Can we be friends with anyone? (Michael, Age 9) | 141
    Mar 28 2026

    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
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • Friend lies and boasts (Martha, Age 9) | 140
    Mar 21 2026

    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
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • Friend copies her (Jemma, Age 12) | 139
    Mar 14 2026

    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
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
No reviews yet