How to stay calm when someone is bragging (Lillian, Age 11)

Ep. 53 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: Knowing the difference between bragging and sharing good news

Bragging is annoying because it carries an implied putdown: “I’m better than you!” Lillian wants to know how to stay calm when someone is bragging. But are they bragging or just sharing good news?

Scroll down for discussion questions.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Why is bragging NOT a good way to make friends? (Hint: How does it make other people feel?) What are some better ways to make friends?

What does Dr. Friendtastic mean when she says, “Most of the time, when people are bragging, there is no contest”? Why might keeping that in mind be helpful for staying calm when someone is bragging?

Have you ever felt envious of something good that happened to a friend? What was the thing that made you feel envious? How did you handle it? How did it affect your friendship?

Has anyone ever told you, “Quit bragging!”? Do you think you were bragging? Why or why not? What did you do after that?

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