Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Friendship heartbreak hits differently when it’s your child. In this episode, I sit down with child development specialist Dr. Robin 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 bullied
• What not to do in the heat of the moment
• How to respond without escalating the situation
• Supporting social skill growth without labeling your child as the problem
• The importance of repair when we as parents don’t handle it perfectly
• Why parenting always offers a do over
To connect with Dr. Robyn Silverman follow her on Instagram @drrobynsilverman, check out all her resources at drrobynsilverman.com and buy her book “How to Talk To Kids About Anything”: go.shopmy.us/p-65452693 (paid link)
00:00 When Friendship Hurts: Helping Kids With Difficult Friends
00:56 Meet Dr. Robin Silverman, Talking to Kids About Tough Topics
02:45 The Fifth Grade Story That Inspired Her Work
07:34 Teaching Kids What a Good Friend Actually Looks Like
10:41 Why Kids Stay in Friendships That Don’t Treat Them Well
14:32 How Self-Worth Shapes Friendships and Bullying
19:54 What Parents Should Do When a Child Says They’re Being Bullied
26:31 Helping Kids Through Rejection and Feeling Left Out
33:24 The Parenting Do-Over: Repairing Hard Moments With Your Child
Check out all of the PedsDocTalk Courses for more guidance, tips, and support during parenthood. Visit pedsdoctalk.com/courses
Sign up for the PedsDocTalk newsletter to stay updated on the latest news on all things child health and parenting! Here is the link: pedsdoctalk.com/newsletter
SUBSCRIBE to PedsDocTalkTV to stay up to date! youtube.com/@pedsdoctalk
Listen to The PedsDocTalk Podcast available on all Podcast apps.
Many more resources at pedsdoctalk.com
Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk?tab=collections (paid link)
FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: instagram.com/pedsdoctalk
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@pedsdoctalk
Facebook: facebook.com/pedsdoctalk
Keywords: doctor, pediatrician, bullying in children, how to help a child being bullied, friendship problems in kids, how to talk to kids about bullying, child confidence building, kids and social skills, what to say when your child is excluded, parenting through friendship drama
Friendship heartbreak hits differently when it’s your child. In this episode, I sit down with child development specialist Dr. Robin 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 bullied
• What not to do in the heat of the moment
• How to respond without escalating the situation
• Supporting social skill growth without labeling your child as the problem
• The importance of repair when we as parents don’t handle it perfectly
• Why parenting always offers a do over
To connect with Dr. Robyn Silverman follow her on Instagram @drrobynsilverman, check out all her resources at drrobynsilverman.com and buy her book “How to Talk To Kids About Anything”: go.shopmy.us/p-65452693 (paid link)
00:00 When Friendship Hurts: Helping Kids With Difficult Friends
00:56 Meet Dr. Robin Silverman, Talking to Kids About Tough Topics
02:45 The Fifth Grade Story That Inspired Her Work
07:34 Teaching Kids What a Good Friend Actually Looks Like
10:41 Why Kids Stay in Friendships That Don’t Treat Them Well
14:32 How Self-Worth Shapes Friendships and Bullying
19:54 What Parents Should Do When a Child Says They’re Being Bullied
26:31 Helping Kids Through Rejection and Feeling Left Out
33:24 The Parenting Do-Over: Repairing Hard Moments With Your Child
Check out all of the PedsDocTalk Courses for more guidance, tips, and support during parenthood. Visit pedsdoctalk.com/courses
Sign up for the PedsDocTalk newsletter to stay updated on the latest news on all things child health and parenting! Here is the link: pedsdoctalk.com/newsletter
SUBSCRIBE to PedsDocTalkTV to stay up to date! youtube.com/@pedsdoctalk
Listen to The PedsDocTalk Podcast available on all Podcast apps.
Many more resources at pedsdoctalk.com
Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk?tab=collections (paid link)
FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: instagram.com/pedsdoctalk
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@pedsdoctalk
Facebook: facebook.com/pedsdoctalk
Keywords: doctor, pediatrician, bullying in children, how to help a child being bullied, friendship problems in kids, how to talk to kids about bullying, child confidence building, kids and social skills, what to say when your child is excluded, parenting through friendship drama
