Every parent’s first concern is the same: “Is my baby healthy?” This question is one that doctors usually can answer. Another big question is far more difficult: “Will my child become a good and decent human being?” Most doctors would have to admit that they just don’t know, and parents are often left wondering if [...]

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 [...]

One thing has never changed: kids will be kids and that means that do sometimes misbehave. Though there are no quick-fix behavior cures or sure-proof ways to raise well-behaved kids, research shows certain strategies do increase our odds.  In fact there are a few basic psychological principles that are proven to change behavior not only [...]

Parenting advice to boost our children’s civility and teach manners just in time for the holidays! All three of my sons attended a wonderful cooperative nursery school led by an incredibly caring teacher, Jeanette Thompson. The very first impression I had of the school was how well-mannered the children were. And, through the years as [...]

Five steps to boost children’s character and moral intelligence The teacher read Alfred’s misbehavior report and shook her head. It was his third playground citation this week and like the others it was about his derogatory, disrespectful comments. “Alfred you can’t keep saying negative things to people,” she explained. “You’ve got to start acting more [...]

REALITY CHECK: We need to teach our kids the value of effort. Doing so helps children recognize that a large part of success is controllable; it’s all a matter of how much personal effort and work they choose to put into a task. We can make an immense difference on our children’s potential if we [...]

REALITY CHECK: Did you know that one in four kids shoplift? You see your child take a candy bar from the store and put it in her pocket. You notice your daughter is playing with a Barbie that you told her she couldn’t have at the store. You find a video game in your son’s [...]

Learn the sneaky tactics kids use to get her way—and what to do about them. “Dad said I could.” “I promise I’ll do it tomorrow.” “My stomach hurts; I can’t go to school.” Do these manipulative tactics sound rather familiar? I’ll bet. As a mom, educational psychologist and former teacher, I know all too well [...]

New research shows that children who can pass up a marshmallow are more likely to succeed as adults. But why? Here’s the secret every teacher and parent should know… The Famous Marshmallow Test and Implications on Our Kids’ Later Success In 1960, Walter Mischel, a psychologist at Stanford University, conducted the now famous Marshmallow Test. Mischel [...]

Moral IQ Tip: Children are likely to be more empathic if they understand why empathy is important and how it affects others. So point out the positive impact empathy can have on others in daily experiences. One strong characteristic of morally intelligent children is that they are empathic. These kids can identify with and feel [...]

If you ever had even the slightest bit of guilt about saying “No” to your kids materialistic whims, you can kiss those feelings away. A University of Minnesota study confirmed what every parent has instinctively known deep down: We’re not doing our kids any favors by giving in to their every whim and spending urge. [...]

The first time I realized the power of involving kids in social justice projects was when one of my sons was just four. The two of us had gone to see the movie The Bear, and because it was rated as family oriented, I wasn’t prepared for the scene in which a bear is brutally [...]

REALITY CHECK: Parents who raise moral kids don’t do so by accident. They are purposeful and deliberate in their efforts. They are also aware that they are the single greatest influence over their child’s moral development. Don’t let these seven deadly myths stand in your way of raising an ethical child with solid character. Educators, [...]

As the holidays approach, it is time to share some of these family recipes – all thoroughly researched and proven delicious for today’s parenting. Part of your child’s character should be gratitude. As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, let’s review some of Dr. Borba’s proven advice on character building with gratitude.  : Thank you ABCs. This one is [...]

Of course we want our kids to be compassionate and sensitive to other people’s feelings. The problem is that many kids’ empathy potential is greatly handicapped because they don’t have the ability to identify and express emotions. They have tremendous difficulty feeling for the other person simply because they may not recognize the other person’s [...]

Hello New Jersey Parents! This Tuesday October 13 @ 7 pm – 9 pm I’m speaking at the Montessori Children’s Academy in Chatham, New Jersey. Parents from all over the area will be there. Hope you can join me. Details are below. REALITY CHECK: Ever wonder what  really matters in raising a productive, responsible child [...]

REALITY CHECK: Did you know that a child today is ten times more likely to be seriously depressed compared to a child born in the first third of this century? Beware: Pessimistic thinking clouds our kids’ view of the world and affects their emotional and mental health. Michele Borba Note to Readers: This week I’m [...]

Michele Borba A recent Time/Nickelodeon survey of 991 kids ages 9 to 14 revealed peer pressure is more intense and at younger ages. Here is the third in my series on troubling youth trends and science-based parenting solutions to turn this around so our kids can buck temptations, be safe and develop confidence to stand [...]

Michele Borba REALITY CHECK: “I should have won.” “They ought to fire the coach.” “I could have gotten the right answer. The teacher doesn’t like me.” “If I were on a better team I’d win.” Sound familiar? They’re all symptoms of a deadly youth ailment called “Poor Loser” and it’s spreading among our youth. Watching any kid [...]

Michele Borba REALITY CHECK: Research shows that our children are born with the marvelous gift to care and be concerned about others. But unless we nurture those glorious virtues they will lie dormant. A new study shows we may not be doing such a great job. San Diego State professor Jean Twenge (author of 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 [...]

Michele Borba REALITY CHECK: One strong characteristic of morally intelligent children is that they are empathic and concerned about others. An important point to remember is that while our kids are born with the potential for empathy and generosity, those traits aren’t guaranteed. Researchers have discovered that a strong commonality of those kids who acquire [...]

Michele Borba, Ed.D. REALITY CHECK: How do we help students develop strong character? The answer is found in this premise: Character traits are learned; therefore we can teach them. It means that educators have tremendous power because they can teach students critical character traits. And how to build students’ character involves a few steps. Teachers [...]

I recently worked with PARENTS magazine to conduct an online survey of over 2400 moms. One question: “How do you hope your child turns out?” Next to health and happiness, most parents hoped their children would grow to be adults with solid character and strong morals. One thing is certain: parents who raise moral kids [...]

By Michele Borba REALITY CHECK: Parents don’t raise moral kids by accident. They know what they stand for and pass those values onto their children deliberately and purposefully. So here’s your Reality Check: If you sat your child down right now and asked: “What do we stand for in this house? or What values matter [...]

Wondering what can you do to help your kids counter negative influences and stand up for what they know is right? The answer is to nurture a solid moral core that will guide them to stand up for their beliefs and act right without us. And the best news is that we can teach kids [...]