7 solutions to help kids develop self-confidence, buck peer pressure and speak up for themselves Let’s face it. It’s a hard time to be growing up, and the data confirms it. Bullying is fiercer. Peer pressure is tougher. Kids are more aggressive (and at younger ages!). Girls are meaner. Tougher temptations like drinking, sex, and drugs are hitting [...]

Why we must nurture children’s hearts as well as minds: 7 ways to teach kids strong, ethical behavior and character in a decade of moral erosion This might as well go down in history as the “Decade of Moral Erosion.” Wall Street so-called “leaders,” politicians, celebrities, and even the clergy and their parade of unethical [...]

Parent and educator guide to using the Penn State tragedy and Sandusky trial to talk about sexual abuse to kids and teens; rucial safety tips to prevent abuse and signs of sexual abuse Once again, the Penn State child sexual abuse case is in the news and has adults on full alert. “How could this have [...]

Parenting advice to help kids buck negative temptations and stand up to peers REALITY CHECK: A survey of 991 kids ages nine to fourteen revealed 36 percent feel pressure from peers to smoke marijuana, 40 percent feel pressure to have sex, 36 percent feel pressure to shoplift, and four out of ten feel pressure to drink. CNN/Time [...]

Parenting advice to help shyer, sensitive, timid kids feel more comfortable and gain confidence in social situations “You go ahead without me.” “I’m afraid to raise my hand.” “I’d rather be by myself.” “Please don’t make me go!” Let’s face it: watching a shy, timid or hesitant child can be painful. They hang back, look [...]

Parenting strategies to help kids  solve their problems, be self-reliant, bounce back from failure and not use us as their managers, arbiters and palm pilots A mom was running late as she drove her two sons to school. “Can we pleeeease go back?” her six-year-old pleaded. “I forgot my stamps for show-and-tell.” Any other day, [...]

Parenting advice I shared on Dateline that could save your child’s life How would your child respond if a stranger knocked at your door? Are you really sure? Imagine an adult coming to your door when you’re not at home. The adult clearly looks official. He has a badge or is wearing a uniform such as [...]

REALITY CHECK: Did you know that tweens and teens say one of their biggest daily challenges are conflicts with peers? The Boys and Girls Club of America surveyed over 46,000 teens coast to coast and found that one of their biggest concerns was day to day conflicts without knowing how to solve them (without a [...]

Michele Borba REALITY CHECK: A recent Time/Nickelodeon survey of 991 kids ages nine to fourteen revealed some troubling facts: 36 percent of the middle schoolers surveyed feel the pressure from peers to smoke marijuana; 40 percent feel pressure to have sex; 36 percent feel pressure to shoplift; and four out of 10 sixth graders feel [...]