Welcome to the Dr. Friendtastic newsletter for parents
With the epidemic of loneliness among adults, the mental health crisis among teens, and the harsh divisiveness in our country and our world, the work of teaching children how to build strong and caring friendships has never been more urgent.
This newsletter offers practical, research-based ideas you can use to help your child make and keep friends. And, you’ll probably find that the information is useful and relevant for your own relationships.
Why a newsletter about children’s friendships?
Friendships matter. They make the hard times easier and the good times more fun.
But friendships aren’t always easy. Feeling anxious around people they don’t know well, having an argument with a friend, dealing with teasing, or feeling jealous when a friend spends time with someone else…these are all common experiences for kids, but they can be very painful.
Even as adults, in new situations or new relationships, we’re constantly learning about how to get along with others.
The good news is that there’s a lot we can do as parents to help our kids learn to make and keep friends.
This newsletter gives you essential resources so you can help your child navigate those unavoidable friendship rough spots and learn to be a good friend.
A podcast about friendship to share with your child
The Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast is for children, but it’s actually an easy and convenient resource for parents and other caring adults to help kids learn about friendship.
Each weekly, 5-minute episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a child (in grades K-8), plus a practical and thought-provoking answer. You’ll also get a transcript and discussion questions you can use to help your child think about the topic in deeper, more personal ways.
Just listening to the podcast with your child is likely to trigger interesting conversations. You may also want to break it into steps:
Play an episode up to the end of the kid question.
Ask your child what advice they’d give to that kid.
Play my answer.
Use the discussion questions as a jumping-off point to connect the topic to your child’s experiences.
For FREE subscribers
I’m deeply committed to offering the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic weekly podcast for free. Check out past episodes HERE or on your favorite podcast app.
The Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast is my favorite work activity because the kids’ voices are adorable, and their questions are deep! The number one reaction I get from parents is, “This applies to adults, too!”
Here are a few of my favorite episodes:
Ep. 44 - Vera, Age 8: Change self to make friends?
Ep. 57 – Zen, Age 6: Avoiding Conflict
Ep. 55 – Blaire, Age 12: Say no without feeling bad
For PAID subscribers
Paid subscribers get:
The free weekly Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast episodes on Saturdays (except holiday weekends),
PLUS
Weekly Podcast Parent Notes. These are informal and practical notes that cover the issues raised in that episode in more depth and offer you ways to support your child’s learning about that topic. (I aim to get them out on Saturdays, the same day as the podcast, but it might be a day or two later, depending on how organized I am!) They also include specially selected bonus resources of videos or articles I’ve created.
PLUS
A coupon code each month for $20 off the monthly featured online workshop. These workshops are entertaining and practical. They offer realistic, research-based tips you can use immediately to support your child's social and emotional development. They draw from research as well as my experience as a clinical psychologist.
For your convenience, the workshops are broken down into 2- to 9-minute chunks so you can watch them straight through or a bit at a time, to fit your schedule. You can see a list of topics HERE. (You can also purchase the workshops at full price without becoming a paid subscriber). I add new workshops periodically, and I have lots of great new topics coming up, including Myths and Truths About Resilience in Children and Families and Raising Kind Kids, as well as Q&A sessions.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get the strategies you need to support your child and family.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dr. Friendtastic?
My real name is Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD. I’m an author, clinical psychologist, and mom of four based in Princeton, NJ. I’ve written nine traditionally published books about children’s feelings and friendships, plus an audio-video series for The Great Courses. My recent books include: Moody Moody Cars (for ages 4-8), Growing Feelings (for ages 6-12), Growing Friendships (for ages 6-12), and Kid Confidence (for parents). Learn more at EileenKennedyMoore.com or DrFriendtastic.com (for kids).
Why do you care so much about friendship?
When I was growing up, my family moved about every three years, spending time living in Spain and Peru as well as the Chicago area. So, you could say I became an expert at a young age about making new friends and connecting with lots of different people–because I had to!
In my psychology practice, I’ve spent a lot of time talking with kids and adults about friendship issues. I’ve also studied a lot of scientific research about friendships. Strong friendships help us feel happier and more connected.
Do you wear a cape in real life?
Not as often as I’d like!
Unlock the power of friendship for your child!
Upgrade to a paid subscription to get the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast PLUS weekly Podcast Parent Notes PLUS a monthly coupon for $20 off the featured online workshop. You’ll also be helping to keep the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast free for everyone!
My gift for you
To thank you for becoming a FREE or PAID subscriber to the Dr. Friendtastic for Parents newsletter, I’d like to give you three free mini-guides for parents. Sign up below to receive them. These e-books offer 10 quick tips to use immediately or longer term:
When Your Child…Says, “Nobody Like Me”
When Your Child…Cries Easily
When Your Child…Gets Bullied
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Some practical matters
Obviously, the Dr. Friendtastic newsletter is NOT psychotherapy. It's for educational purposes only. The ideas mentioned may or may not be relevant for your particular situation.
I trust you to use your judgment about what makes sense for your child and your family and to consult your physician or a mental health provider, if needed, about very serious or complicated situations.
