Growing Friendships

All about children's social and emotional development.

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D.

When Coping Well Is Costly

Sometimes people who look amazingly capable feel depleted by the enduring strain of having to cope well.

What to Say Instead of "Be Careful!"

Saying "be careful!" gives children no useful information. It only tells them, "I'm anxious, so you should be, too!" 

The Limits of #MentalHealth Content

We need to be wise about understanding the benefits and limitations of #MentalHealth content.

4 Common Complaints About Teamwork

Four complaints that children and adults commonly voice during group projects, and some possible ways parents or teachers can respond.

Does Your Child Need a Best Friend?

How common are best friendships among children?

Helping Your Child Move Past a Bad Experience

When bad things happen to our kids, we can help them create a narrative that genuinely acknowledges their feelings and also offers hope.

How to Move Past Parental Blame

We can't rewrite the past. Here are five reasons to stop blaming your parents and what to do instead.

How to Stop Overthinking Things

Rumination involves repeatedly and passively focusing on the meaning of negative feelings and circumstances. Here's how to shift away from this unhealthy mental habit.

Loving and Supporting a Trans or Gender-Creative Kid

A loving response from a mom offers comfort and support to a trans kid.

The 5 Worst Ways to Apologize

These common apology mistakes can hurt your relationship.

5 Friendship Skills Your Child May Have Forgotten

After a year of living remotely, children may have forgotten a lot about getting along with peers. Here's an overview of five essential friendship skills.

6 Types of Friendship Breakups

Children’s friendships end for many reasons. Here are some of the main types of breakups.

When Friends Have Different Family Rules for COVID-19

Differences in families' pandemic rules create friendship challenges for kids. Here's a way to understand those differences.

The Danger of Telling Kids “Do Your Best”

Some kids hear "do your best" messages as "do the best job you can possibly imagine!" Here are some problems with that message and an alternative.

Why Grit Is Overrated

Promoting grit as a key to success raises both practical and philosophical concerns.

Handling Political Disagreements in the Family

It’s tempting to steer clear of political topics with loved ones who have different views, but these conversations are possible and can even be useful.

Is Your Child a Good Friend?

It takes effort and practice for children to learn how to be a good friend.

Finding a Less Awkward Socially-Distant Greeting

There’s an awkwardness to greeting people we care about in a socially distant way. Here are some alternatives.

Top 5 Parent Concerns About Kids Wearing Masks

Having to make their children wear masks worries many parents. Here are five top concerns and ways to address them.

Top 5 Texting Mistakes Kids Make

By talking about some of the common texting pitfalls, you may be able to help your kid avoid them.

When—Not If—You Lose It With Your Child During Coronavirus

While you certainly didn’t intend those imperfect parenting moments, they’re actually an important opportunity to teach your child about relationship repair.

Helping Lonely Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic

After months of social distancing, many kids are feeling very, very lonely. Here are some ideas to help your child feel more connected.

How to Love the Ones You’re with During Coronavirus

We love our families, but constant confinement puts a strain on everyone’s nerves. Here are some ways to get along during coronavirus.

How to Help Kids Talk About Feelings

Children often struggle to be able to talk about how they’re feeling. Here’s a simple technique to help them find the words they need.

Coping With Worries About the Coronavirus

The headlines are scary. The uncertainty is worse. How can you manage your anxiety about the coronavirus?

When Your Child Hates Compliments

Reasons why receiving a compliment feels so uncomfortable for some kids and possible solutions.

What Is Psychologists’ Favorite Word?

One small word encompasses a big shift in thinking that can help people become unstuck. Learn about the power of this simple word.

Is Your Child “Addicted” to Screens?

How can you tell if your child's screen use is a problem? What can you do to help your child be smart about online activity?

When Your Child’s Best Friend Is “Stolen”

For children, the feelings of jealousy and betrayal when a close friend starts spending time with someone else can be as intense as those of teens or adults coping with infidelity.

3 Levels of Stress Management

Stress is like a river with three waterfalls, representing three levels at which we can intervene. In general, the higher up-stream we address stress, the easier it is to handle.

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