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 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 https://drrobynsilverman.com/ and buy her book “How to Talk To Kids About Anything”: https://parenting.drrobynsilverman.com/book#heading-t_xdY060m2H  00:00 – When Friendship Hurts: The Question Every Parent Faces 01:10 – Meet Dr. Robyn Silverman: Helping Parents Navigate Hard Conversations 02:22 – Why Talking About Friendship and Bullying Matters 03:06 – The Childhood Experience That Inspired Dr. Silverman’s Work 07:08 – Teaching Kids What a Good Friend Actually Is 10:52 – Why Kids Stay in Friendships That Don’t Treat Them Well 12:28 – Helping Kids Find Friendships That Fit Who They Are 15:02 – How Self-Identity Shapes Social Confidence 19:47 – What To Do When Your Child Says They’re Being Bullied 21:13 – The First Words to Say When Your Child Opens Up 25:34 – Rebuilding Self-Worth After Friendship Rejection 27:11 – When Your Child Feels Like No One Wants to Be Their Friend 31:13 – Avoiding the Blame Trap When Kids Struggle Socially 33:37 – Parenting Is the Ultimate Do-Over 36:12 – A Simple Exercise to Help Kids Choose Better Friends Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices