Who Gets Close To Your Heart? Helping Kids Build Healthy Friendships

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As Valentine's Day approaches, emotions around friendship, belonging, and affection naturally rise, especially for kids. In this episode of Facing the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy Koch help parents use this season as a teaching moment, not just a holiday. Together, they unpack what true friendship really is and how it differs from casual relationships. They dive into why not everyone belongs in the same place in a child's heart. Dr. Kathy introduces a simple yet powerful framework for understanding friendship levels, helping kids learn healthy boundaries and trust over time. The conversation also explores why self respect is essential for meaningful relationships, why kids must know their own God-given worth before they can love others well. Rooted in Jesus' command to love our neighbor as ourselves, this episode equips parents to guide children through affection, disappointment, conflict, and connection with wisdom, clarity, and grace, shining a steady light through the emotional complexities that Valentine's season can bring.