Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health.

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

Kids EN ↓ 165 episodes

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

Author

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, focusing on children's feelings, children's friendships, parenting, mental health.

Episodes

How to Show Openness to Friendship 09.08.2025 6:39

Ep. 112: Moving past a friendship rough spot in a boy-girl friendship | Friendship advice for kids 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 eas...

Friend won’t forgive her (Thea, Age 10) 02.08.2025 6:42

Ep. 111: Moving past a friendship rough spot in a boy-girl friendship | Friendship advice for kids 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 eas...

Being apart from a friend (Matilda, Age 5) 26.07.2025 4:38

Ep. 110: Closeness and distance in friendship | Friendship advice for kids 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...

What does it mean to be yourself? (Charlotte, Age 11) 19.07.2025 6:17

Ep. 109:Two kinds of fitting in | Friendship advice for kids 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://D...

What scares you? (Katie, Age 8) 12.07.2025 6:23

Ep. 108: Strategies for facing fears | Friendship advice for kids 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: http...

A celebration of INTERdependence! Why friendships matter (Brayden, Age 9) 04.07.2025 5:31

Re-release of Ep. 47 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic | Friendship advice for kids 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,...

Secrets to self-control in friendship and life (Alex, Age 10) 28.06.2025 6:50

Ep. 107: Strategies for making wise choices 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...

Friend acts different when others aren’t around (Charlotte, Age 7) 21.06.2025 5:28

Ep. 106: Different Kinds of Friends 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...

What to do when a friend is being mean (Isla, Age 5) 14.06.2025 6:17

Ep. 105 How to speak up for yourself 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/podcas...

Friend plays too rough (Liam, Age 9) 07.06.2025 6:25

Ep. 104 Pretend fighting vs. real fighting 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/...

Friends butt into conflict with other friend (Grace, Age 8) 31.05.2025 6:29

Ep. 103 - Dealing with Nosy Friends 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...

How to Deal with an Octopus Friend (Mara, Age 9) 24.05.2025 6:02

Re-release of Ep. 13 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friend doesn't want her to have other friends (Mara, Age 9) 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.)...

How to express your feelings with friends (Aida, Age 5) 17.05.2025 7:05

Ep. 102 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why both negative and positive feelings help us build strong friendships Aida wants to know how to express her feelings with friends. Learn tips for what is most likely to get a good response...or not! 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....

How to make friends with a new classmate (Adeline, Age 7) 10.05.2025 6:37

Ep. 101 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Finding the "just-right" level of friendliness | Friendship advice for kids Adeline wants to know how to help a news classmate, but she’s also concerned about coming on too strong and overwhelming the new student. 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 QUE...

Celebrating Episode 100!!! 03.05.2025 11:38

Ep. 100 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Hear what kids have learned from 100 episodes of friendship advice for kids 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 situation...

Best friend makes a big mistake! (Rosetta, Age 5) 26.04.2025 5:19

Ep. 99 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What happens after a friend does something mean? | Friendship advice for kids Rosetta wants to know what to do when the girl she considers her best friend does something seriously unkind. 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 a...

How to join a group when not everyone wants you in (Jessica, Age 9) 12.04.2025 6:59

Ep. 98 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Friendship group drama | Friendship advice for kids Jessica wants to join a friend group, not not everyone is welcoming. 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 psychot...

How and why to understand a friend’s feelings (Zoya, Age 7) 29.03.2025 5:00

Ep. 97 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: The platinum rule | Friendship advice for kids Zoya wants to know how to understand her friends' feelings. 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...

Dealing with a Bossy Friend (Grace, Age 9) 22.03.2025 5:45

Ep. 96 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Moving past a Yes-No argument Grace's friend sometimes bosses her around! What can she do? 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 emerg...

Handling embarrassing moments (Sara, Age 7) 15.03.2025 5:18

Ep. 95 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 3 types of embarrassment Sara wishes she could never feel embarrassed! 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.) Fo...

Before you confront a friend | Friendship advice for kids 08.03.2025 6:01

Ep. 94 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Two questions to ask yourself before discussing a problem with a friend. 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.)...

Not invited to a party! (Alice, Age 6) 01.03.2025 6:04

Ep. 94 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: What we can control and what we can’t Alice wonders what to do when her good friend doesn't invite her to a party. 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...

What to say when a friend is feeling down (Mason, Age 13) 22.02.2025 5:17

Ep. 92 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Supportive vs. unsupportive responses to a sad friend Mason wants to know what to say to a friend who is feeling down that won't make the friend feel worse! 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/su...

Arguments with a friend (Kenna & Scarlett, Age 8) 15.02.2025 6:32

Ep. 91 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: This important assumption helps you move past a friendship rough spot Kenna and Scarlett, who want to know what to do when they start arguing. 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 (Obviousl...

Friend breaks a promise (Alma, Age 7) 08.02.2025 6:00

Ep. 90 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Why friends sometimes let us down Alma wants to know what to do about a friend who broke her promise 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...