Growing Friendships

Bullying

Helping Your Child Move Past a Bad Experience

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on September 27, 2021

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

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

Forgiveness

How to Move Past Parental Blame

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on September 25, 2021

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

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

Education

How to Stop Overthinking Things

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

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.

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.

Gender

Loving and Supporting a Trans or Gender-Creative Kid

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on June 28, 2021

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

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

Forgiveness

The 5 Worst Ways to Apologize

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on June 27, 2021

These common apology mistakes can hurt your relationship.

These common apology mistakes can hurt your relationship.

Friends

5 Friendship Skills Your Child May Have Forgotten

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 31, 2021

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.

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.

Friends

6 Types of Friendship Breakups

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

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

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

Friends

When Friends Have Different Family Rules for COVID-19

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 22, 2021

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

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

Perfectionism

The Danger of Telling Kids “Do Your Best”

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on December 31, 2020

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.

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.

Grit

Why Grit Is Overrated

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on December 30, 2020

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

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

Politics

Handling Political Disagreements in the Family

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on November 14, 2020

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.

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.

Friends

Is Your Child a Good Friend?

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

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

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

Friends

Finding a Less Awkward Socially-Distant Greeting

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on September 1, 2020

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

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

Health

Top 5 Parent Concerns About Kids Wearing Masks

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on July 25, 2020

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

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

Friends

Top 5 Texting Mistakes Kids Make

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

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

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

Coronavirus Disease 2019

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

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

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

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

Loneliness

Helping Lonely Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on June 27, 2020

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

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

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Love the Ones You’re with During Coronavirus

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 24, 2020

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

Loneliness

How to Help Kids Talk About Feelings

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 19, 2020

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.

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.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Coping With Worries About the Coronavirus

Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. on March 12, 2020

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

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