Friend wants all her attention (Rosie, Age 5 3/4)

Ep. 63 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Dealing with being excluded.

Rosie wonders why her friend doesn’t want her to play with anyone else, and what she can do about it.

Scroll down for discussion questions.

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SUBMIT A QUESTION TO DR. FRIENDTASTIC at https://DrFriendtastic.com/submit (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)

For an easy-to-read TRANSCRIPT, go to: https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast/

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*** DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

- Why do you think kids sometimes have trouble sharing a friend with other friends?

- Have you ever been in a situation like Rosie’s, either as the friend who didn’t want to share a friend or the friend who wanted to play with other kids? What happened? How did you handle it?

- Why is it a good idea to try to imagine why a friend might be doing what they’re doing, especially when we don’t like what they’re doing? (Hint: How are you likely to feel and act toward the friend when you can understand their perspective?)

- Would you respond differently to hearing “I like you, AND I want to play with other friends” versus “I like you, BUT I want to play with other friends”? Why or why not?

*** You might also like these podcast episodes:

Ep. 13 - Mara, Age 9: Friend doesn't want her to have other friends

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-13-mara

Ep. 16 - Sam, Age 13: Joining a new group of friends

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-16-sam

Ep. 26 - Abigail, Age 10: Friendship doesn't have to be all or nothing

https://drfriendtastic.substack.com/p/kids-ask-dr-friendtastic-ep-26-abigail

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