When Friendship Hurts: How to Talk to Kids About Bullying, Boundaries, and Self-Worth
About this episode
The episode discusses how to help children navigate friendship challenges, bullying, and self-worth with insights from child development specialist Dr. Robyn Silverman.
Friendship heartbreak hits differently when it’s your child. In this episode, I sit down with child development specialist Dr. Robyn Silverman to talk about bullying, boundaries, rejection, and what to say when your child feels left out. We dive into the moments that trigger us as parents, especially when their pain mirrors our own childhood wounds, and how to respond with steadiness instead of panic. If you’ve ever felt your chest tighten when your child says, “They don’t want to play with me,” this conversation is for you. We talk about helping kids define what a good friend actually is, building identity from the inside out, and supporting them through social struggles without bulldozing the situation or blaming them. This episode is about raising confident kids who know they are enough, even when friendships shift. What we discuss: • Why fifth grade and early adolescence can feel like a social turning point • How to help kids define what a true friend looks like • Why proximity friendships don’t always work long term • The power of identity and “I am” statements • How negative self talk creates a confidence feedback loop • What to say when your child says they’re being…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Mona Amin
Guest: Dr. Robyn Silverman
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