Articles by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD About Making Friends & Being a Good Friend
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
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?
Does Your Child Need a Best Friend?
Is Your Child a Good Friend?
It takes effort and practice for children to learn how to be a good friend.
Children’s Friendship Groups
Friendship groups add an extra dimension of fun—and complication—to children’s social worlds.
When Your Child Says “Nobody Likes Me!”
Practical ways to help when your child is feeling friendless.
Helping Your Shy Child
When they’re around other kids, shy children feel like outsiders looking in. Here are ways to help your child feel more comfortable and confident in social situations.
Imaginary Friends
Invisible friends represent “bemagination”—something partway between belief and imagination.
How Children Make Friends (part 3 of 3)
What your child needs to know about making friends: Moving from friendly to friendship.
How Children Make Friends (part 2 of 3)
What your child needs to know about making friends: Like attracts like.
How Children Make Friends (part 1 of 3)
What your child needs to know about making friends: First steps to friendship.
Can Boys and Girls Be Friends?
Visit any playground and you’ll see it: From about age four onwards, boys mostly play with boys; girls mostly play with girls. Are boy-girl friendships doomed to dissolve?