Articles by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD About Conflict, Making Up and Breaking Up

How NOT to Apologize
These common apology mistakes can hurt your relationship.

Childhood Enemies
Just as children experience a continuum of linking from “casual friends” to “best friends,” they also experience a continuum of disliking from “nonfriends” to “worst enemies.”

Why Are Kids So Mean?
Kids who know better and are usually kind to their friends can sometimes act in casually cruel ways when they decide that certain people’s feelings don’t “count.”

3 Ways Kids Can Solve Friendship Conflicts
Conflicts are common in children’s friendships, but they don’t have to mean the end of a relationship. Here are three ways kids can move past disagreements.

No, That’s Not Bullying
Understand the distinction to help your child resolve everyday issues with peers.

Help Your Child Learn to Forgive
Holding onto resentment is emotionally costly. Here are some forgiveness guidelines to help your child figure out when to let go.

3 Ways to Help a Child Cope With Being Dumped by a Friend
Though friendship breakups can be painful for kids, they are a common part of growing up.

Fights With Friends: Help Your Child Learn to Resolve Conflicts
Arguing with a friend can be very upsetting for kids, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of a friendship.

Making Up is Hard to Do…For Kids
Children argue with their friends. A lot. What can we, as parents, do to help them learn to resolve conflicts?

Make New Friends But Keep the Old…Or Not
Friendships don’t always last—especially for children. Here are some ways you can help your child cope with the end of a friendship.