"Everyone likes the idea of "best friends forever," but friendships can be complicated, and they often involve dealing with difficult feelings. Almost all children have experienced feeling shy at a party where they don't know anyone, furious during an argument with a friend, or sad when a friend moves away. Because kids care a lot about friends, they often have big emotional responses about them. This entertaining and empowering book addresses a wide range of feelings children have about friends and other kids, including worry, guilt, jealousy, compassion, and gratitude. Through relatable cartoon stories, practical, research-based coping strategies, plus silly commentary from a cat and dog who have their own (questionable) ideas about what might help, kids get a hands-on approach that they can put into practice. Child psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore and parenting and health writer Christine McLaughlin show kids how to recognize the Feelings Story behind common friendship rough spots, demonstrating the links between events, thoughts, emotions, actions, and social reactions through the situational cartoons, so children can clearly see how their reactions fuel or resolve relationship problems. And going far beyond a simplistic and unrealistic "don't worry, be happy, think positive only" approach, Growing Feelings offers a nuanced perspective on feelings about friends. It emphasizes that all emotions are useful and guides children in how to empathize with others' reactions, as well as how to understand, manage, and communicate in healthy ways about their own feelings. Caring friendships are a protective factor for children's mental health. Giving kids the tools they need to deal with the feelings about friends is a powerful step toward protecting and improving their well-being"-- Provided by publisher
Eileen Kennedy-Moore Book order
Eileen Kennedy-Moore is a psychologist and author whose work focuses on parenting and children's social and emotional development. Her approach is both gentle and practical, offering readers nuanced yet actionable strategies. Through her writing, she delves into key topics such as strengthening parenting skills and fostering healthy childhood friendships. Kennedy-Moore aims to help both parents and children better navigate the complexities of emotional and social interactions.






- 2023
- 2023
Growing Friendships
- 181 pages
- 7 hours of reading
From psychologist and children's friendships expert Eileen Kennedy-Moore and parenting and health writer Christine McLaughlin comes a social development primer that gives kids the answers they need to make and keep friends. Friendship is complicated for kids. Almost every child struggles socially at some time, in some way. Having an argument with a friend, getting teased, or even trying to find a buddy in a new classroom...although these are typical problems, they can be very painful. And friendships are never about just one thing. With research-based practical solutions and plenty of true-to-life examples--presented in more than 200 lighthearted cartoons--Growing Friendships is a toolkit for both girls and boys as they make sense of the social order around them. Children everywhere want to fit in with a group, resist peer pressure, and be good sports--but even the most socially adept children struggle at times. But after reading this highly illustrated guide on their own or with a caring adult, kids everywhere will be well equipped to face any friendship challenges that come their way.
- 2022
The story features classic cars that personify various emotions through their expressive faces, inviting young readers to identify and understand these feelings. This playful rhyming picture book serves as an engaging tool for teaching children about emotions, helping them navigate their social interactions effectively.
- 2019
Kid Confidence
- 240 pages
- 9 hours of reading
In Kid Confidence, a clinical psychologist and parenting expert offers practical, evidence-based parenting strategies to help children build satisfying relationships, embrace personal growth, and discover the freedom that comes with a quiet ego-a deeply rooted sense of competence, confidence, and compassion for oneself and others.
- 2019
What's my child thinking?
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Make every moment with your child count. Tap into the psychology behind your child's behaviour at every stage of development, and respond with confidence. Find out what your child really means when they say "Look what I've done!", "But, I'm not tired", or "You're embarrassing me" - and discover what's really going on when they can't express themselves at all. Taking more than 100 everyday situations, the book leads you through scenarios step by step, explaining not only your child's behaviour and the psychology behind it but also your own feelings as a parent. It then gives instant recommendations for what you could say and do in response to best resolve the situation. Covering all your child's developmental milestones from ages 2 to 7 years, What's My Child Thinking?covers important issues - such as temper tantrums, friendships (real and imaginary), sibling rivalry, aggressive behaviour, and peer pressure. What's more, there is a bank of practical "survival guides" for critical times, such as travelling in the car, eating out, and going online safely. Rooted in evidence-based clinical psychology and championing positive parenting, What's My Child Thinking? will help you tune into your child's innermost thoughts and be the parent you want to be.
- 2011
Smart Parenting for Smart Kids
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Practical parenting tips for helping children develop the social and emotional skills they need to become capable, confident, and caring people. Chapters include: Tempering Perfectionism, Building Connection, Developing Motivation, and Finding Joy.
- 2003
This practical and compassionate handbook helps parents sharpen any child's social skills by identifying the "unwritten rules" that govern all relationships.
