Parenting tips to turn negative beliefs around based on case files Children with poor self-beliefs often have bombarded themselves for so long with a steady stream of derogatory messages. Their potential for success is greatly limited, because they don’t believe in their capabilities. Self-talk is a critical part of how children acquire beliefs about themselves. [...]

Teaching kids to identify their body alarms and learn healthy ways to control anger   “I tried to stay calm, but it was too late!” “I wish I could tell when I’m about to explode.” “Don’t keep telling me I’m going to lose all my friends because of my temper. I can’t help it.” Your [...]

Research-based steps to help kids learn crucial friendship-making skills to fit in, and be less-likely to be excluded and bullied   Friendship Matters Let’s face it, some kids just seem to make friends easily. They’re invited to all the birthday parties, attend the sleep-overs, are chosen first for teams, and are sought after as everyone’s friend. [...]

REALITY CHECK: Empathy is the moral virtue that helps children “identify with and feel other people’s concerns.” When they do, they are more likely to reach out and respond in more caring, compassionate ways to others. Unlike genetics or appearance or most temperaments, empathy can be cultivated, and research shows that our infants are already [...]

Parenting advice to nurture our children’s empathy and compassion. Several years ago, our youngest son brought home a note from his teacher asking for parent volunteers to chaperone a class field trip. His teacher, Cindy Hollinger, was encouraging her students to give up their Saturday morning to participate in a race called “Lauren’s Run” sponsored [...]

Parenting advice to curb insensitivity, boost emotional intelligence and increase empathy in our children “Why should I care how he feels? He’s not my friend.” “So what if I made him cry. He’s a wimp.” “How was I supposed to know he would take it so bad? I was just joking.” Sensitizing children to how [...]

Research shows that boosting our children’s emotional intelligence and ability to read nonverbal cues can enhance their ability to fit in, get along, bounce back and handle life. Did you know that most of the time our kids aren’t listening to our words nearly as much as watching our posture, gestures and facial expressions and [...]

Parenting advice based on solid research to help us raise caring, kind-hearted kids in a racy, raunchy world Something has changed about our children: the prevalence of abuse by their peers is increasing. Bullying is far more intense and starting at younger ages. And I have little patience for anyone stating the old “Kids will [...]

Parenting advice based on research-based tips to help us raise the kind-hearted kid every parent (oh how I hope!) wants Most parents instinctively want their children to develop a strong moral character and to care about others. In fact, according to a recent survey I conducted with Parents Magazine of over 2400 mothers, “Caring” comes [...]

“Why should I bother? You know they won’t choose me.” “What’s the point? I’ll never make the team.” “Why are you making me go? You know I won’t have fun.” Let’s face it: Kids with pessimistic attitudes are among the most frustrating breeds. They give up easily, believe anything they do won’t make a difference, [...]

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 [...]

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 Let’s face it, one thing every parent dreads is hearing their child cry out from their bed: “I’m scared!” We also know that scary dreams are a common and normal part of child development. But a big question I always receive is “What’s the best way to handle my child’s nightmare?”  The best [...]