Articles by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD
12 Ways to Help When Your Child Struggles to Make Friends
When your child comes home heartbroken over friendship troubles, it’s natural to feel helpless. But there’s more you can do than you think! Learn how to support your child’s emotional awareness, coach them through social challenges, and find their people with these 12 actionable tips.
Fitting In vs Belonging: How to Tell the Difference
These questions can help you find genuine belonging.
The Difference Between Perfectionism and Healthy Striving
Is perfectionism holding you back from achieving your goals? When do high standards hurt rather than help us?
A One-Syllable Word That Can Improve Your Relationships
This simple word can take the sting out of criticism and help you be more caring.
When Your Child Has a Domineering Friend
From your child’s perspective, the friendship is working, but as their parent, you can see the obvious downside of giving in all the time.
When Your Child Has a Boy-Girl Friendship
5 Ways to Teach Your Child to Be Grateful
Expressing gratitude is a skill all children need to learn.
When Your Child Gets Cyberbullied
KEY POINTS Children’s empathy isn’t fully developed, so meanness is common, online and off. Sensible limits and monitoring can help your child learn to be safe online. Having a specific plan for handling cyberbullying can help your child feel more confident and competent online. There’s a special kind of awfulness when meanness happens online. Because…
How to Comfort a Child Who Has Lost a Loved One
There are various models of stages of grief out there, but the truth is that grief is a very personal thing.
When Coping Well Is Costly
Ongoing efforts to cope well in difficult circumstances can take a toll.
What to Say Instead of “Be Careful!”
How to empower your child to take reasonable caution and sensible risks.
The Limits of #MentalHealth Content
Online mental health content can have benefits and downsides.
When Your Child… Gets Teased By a Friend
It can sometimes be hard for children who are very sensitive to be the target of teasing, even if it comes from a friend.
When Your Child… Wishes For a Best Friend
For kids, having a best friendship is like falling in love. Who wouldn’t want a soul mate–someone who makes us feel special, who understands, supports, and has fun with us?
When Your Child… Is Afraid to Do Activities
It’s always easier to make a plan when we have an idea of what to expect.
When You… Also Struggle With Making Friends
There is an advantage for parents who share their children’s social challenges: they can serve as excellent role models for their children.
When You… Lose Your Temper With Your Child
Us adults must be on time and complete tasks. When kids live in the moment, they don’t want to put their shoes on or stop. We love our children, but sometimes they’re hard to live with!
When Your Child… Annoys Other Kids
When it comes to friendship, kids can sometimes be their own worst enemy.
When You… Don’t Like Your Child’s Friend
You may be tempted to just forbid your child from playing with this kid, but another part of you may recognize that this might not be the best idea.
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?
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.