Your Questions About Positive Relationships, Answered
What do you do when your child is struggling to make friends, or causing drama in the ones they have? In this Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents and caregivers about how to help kids build and maintain healthy relationships, from early childhood through the teen years.
We cover:
- How to explain that not everyone will like you — and that’s okay
- What to do if your child doesn’t seem to have “real” friendships
- How to support your child’s social life if you’re a shy parent
- How to help a tween handle peer rejection
- What to do when your teen gossips or ghosts their friends
- How to respond to “bossy” behavior in younger kids
- Why teen friendships can sometimes feel toxic — especially among girls
- What to do when an older sibling is being unkind
- How to recognize emotional dependence in friendships
- Tips for supporting a child with ADHD who struggles socially
Whether your child is 6 or 16, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you guide them toward strong, supportive friendships — and build the social-emotional skills they’ll use for life.
Resources Mentioned:
- Friends & Socializing Resources for Parents
- Being a Good Friend – Hedgehog Land Episode — from our Emmy and Webby-nominated series for young kids, featuring music by Lake Street Dive
- Submit a question for a future Q&A episode
Be sure to subscribe and check out last week’s main episode with Dr. Mandi Silverman: How Do I Help My Child or Teen Build Positive, Healthy Friendships?
Creators and Guests
Host
Dave Anderson
Dave Anderson, PhD, is the Vice-President of Public Engagement and Education and a senior psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Anderson focuses on the expansion of our awareness-building and prevention programs while also leading initiatives that build the Child Mind Institute brand, foster strategic partnerships, and forge new relationships with policy makers and youth mental health leaders.
Producer
Andrew Dearling
Andrew Dearling is the Digital Director at the Child Mind Institute, where he leads strategy and execution across web, email, social media, and digital campaigns. He focuses on using digital tools to connect more families with mental health resources, expand the organization’s reach, and drive measurable impact. Andrew combines deep expertise in content, platforms, and performance marketing with a clear understanding of how to reach people where they are, and move them to take action.
Producer
Chad Garber
Chad Garber, a seasoned Creative Producer with over 15 years of experience, shapes branded video, digital, and experiential content for Fortune 100 companies, agencies, and in-house teams to Child Mind Institute. Known for building high-performing creative operations, he led pro-bono productions to multimillion-dollar campaigns for brands like Verizon, Microsoft, New Balance, Budweiser, and FedEx. His sharp storytelling, deep production expertise, and collaborative leadership move ideas from concept to screen with impact.
