Articles by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD About Conflict, Making Up and Breaking Up
Fitting In vs Belonging: How to Tell the Difference
These questions can help you find genuine belonging.
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 Boy-Girl Friendship
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…
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… 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.
The 5 Worst Ways to Apologize
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.