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 [...]

Yes, Kate Gosselin of the infamous Jon & Kate Plus 8 was photographed spanking her child. Oh my! I know this is probably old news and every media outlet from here to Cape Town probably covered it. But with all the flurry that Kate herself succumbed to that ancient parenting tool, my email box is [...]

The senseless tragedy at the Boston Marathon breaks my heart, as I’m sure yours, when I think about these families. All of us-including our children-are trying to make sense of the unimaginable. If you’re a parent or a teacher you may be wondering how to talk about this terrorist act or any other tragedy with [...]

How to Educate, Engage and Involve Your Child in Issues that Matter!  Do you feel like your children are detached from the issues impacting those around them? Do you doubt if your child understands how fortunate he or she is? Do you worry that your child does not show enough compassion for others or takes [...]

Parenting tips to help teach the critical ABCs of money management starting when our kids are young!  Do you feel like you are your kid’s ATM machine? Does your child spend faster than he saves? Do you worry that you’ll still be delving out an allowance to your child when he is forty-five year old? If so, you’re [...]

Are you a praise-aholic parent? Beware, new research shows the wrong praise cab decrease kid self-esteem, motivation, effort, and achievement. How to use praise the “right way.”  “Atta girl!” “Super, sweetie!” “Good job!” “You’re sooo smart!” Sound familiar? All you to do is attend any kid sporting event-hockey game, volleyball, soccer, football, swim meet-and you’ll [...]

Bombings, tornadoes, terrorist alerts, hurricanes, school shootings, super storms have boosted all our jitters lately, but don’t forget our children. I’ve received dozens of parent emails and media calls these past few days asking for advice on how to help calm kids. Many parents tell me what is often typical following a tragedy or trauma [...]

Five steps to help kids learn the lost art of saying “I’m sorry.” The steps work for adults, too!  Have you noticed how apologizing has become almost a lost art these days? A great number of adults–not kids–seem to have forgotten how to say that glorious two-word simple phrase, “I’m sorry!” And if the offender [...]

I think I have the best job in the world: I get to help parents raise the next generation and I’ve worked with a lot of moms and dads.  I’ve spoken to over one million participants on five continents, appeared on over 100 TODAY show parenting segments and written 22 books on child development. I’m [...]

Of course we worry about our kids. It’s only natural to do so. We love our children more than life itself and want them to be happy and successful, and when they aren’t it hurts. When we see our kids struggle, have trouble fitting in, or recognize that they are somehow noticeably “different” from their [...]

I don’t know about you, but I’m suffering from a case of only what I can call “Shudder Syndrome” and it seems to be getting worse by the second. It’s a relatively new ailment, but it always materializes when I read those disturbing statistics about young girls. I’m sure you know the ones describing the [...]

Simple ways to boost gratitude in kids and learn to count their blessings 365 days a year!  There’s something about the Thanksgiving season that tunes up my “reflective switch” and makes me think a bit more about our children.  I worry that over the years we’ve removed ourselves a bit as a society from the [...]

The topic of “gifted children” sure hit a cord with many of you after my TODAY show appearance. My email box is still loaded with questions. The topic of Pushing vs. Nurturing is a hot one. Here is a question I received from a mom that is similar to many others. Dear Dr. Borba, Both [...]

Parenting tips to help kids recognize a key to success: “Learn from your failures.” Our first step is erasing the belief: “Mistakes are bad!” Do you want your child to succeed? (And what parent doesn’t.) Then know this: kids cannot learn to persevere, unless they recognize how to deal with failure. Mistakes can be a [...]

Greetings from Ramstein, Germany! Ramstein Air Base is a U.S. Air Force base a few hours drive from Frankfurt. It serves as headquarters for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation. Besides the U.S. Air Force, the installation’s population includes Belgian, British, Canadian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, [...]

The Medicine Abuse Project Launches Initiative to End Growing Epidemic: National Action Campaign Will Prevent Half a Million Teens from Abusing Medicine in Five Years Did you know that today in the United States, 2,000 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 will abuse a prescription pain medication without a prescription? [1] In fact, it’s easier [...]

What to say and do if you suspect bullying to help your child feel and be safe I know you’ve heard about bullying, but it’s a heart-stopping moment when you know it happened to your own child. But the fact is most parents whose children were  targeted by a bully admit to me that they [...]

OUR REALITY CHECK: Moral Intelligence is what helps our children act right with or without our guidance, and the best news is that this critical and too often overlooked intelligence can be taught.  Let’s make sure our children develop both strong minds and caring hearts! Here are 10 reasons why we must build our children’s [...]

Parenting tips to beat the “Summer Reading Slump” and rekindle that great love of the reading REALITY CHECK: Are you aware of that kids can lose an upward of three month’s worth of reading progress during this summer break? Are you also aware that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American teenagers [...]

Research shows that doing simple rituals enhances our feelings of togetherness and family belonging by almost 20 percent I loved reading that research because it proves that SIMPLE things we do with our kids on a regular basis not only work best but also–let’s get real on this one–are what our kids often remember most. [...]

How to counter “Too Much, Too Soon, Too Sleazy” ads aimed at our daughters and raise healthier girls from the inside out Thongs undies for toddlers. Push-up bras for eight-year olds. Sneakers to “tone” legs for preschoolers.  Marketers keep pushing that “too sexy, too soon” envelope on our young daughters, and we are seeing impact [...]

Research shows that when student bystanders intervene correctly, bullying can be cut more than half the time and within 10 seconds. – Pepler Bullying is cold-blooded, intentional cruelty,and will flourish if tolerated. Forty-nine states have now passed anti-bullying policies and so-called bullying prevention programs are cranking off the presses in record numbers. Beware: Farrington’s analysis of [...]

While in New York last week I was sure to get my hot ticket to the Museum of Modern Art. I had to see for myself the one exhibit that was priceless. No, I wasn’t there to see the works of Picasso, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo or even Diego Rivera (which are all on the [...]

Tips I shared on the TODAY show to help parents monitor their  kids online behavior to boost Internet safety and curb inappropriate online activity Kid Internet access is now everywhere–from laptops, to television screens, to cell phones and Ipods. In the past ten years, the amount of time our kids spend online daily has tripled [...]

Twin U.S. birth rate skyrockets: special parenting tips for raising multiples  A recent report shows an interesting new parenting trend: it appears that many parents are seeing double (literally) these days. The twin birth rate in the U.S. has more than doubled over the last three decades. For a bit of perspective: in 2009 one in [...]

Real strategies to teach kids so they are less likely to be bullied I know you’ve heard the dismal statistics or the heartbreaking stories in the news about children who were bullied. By some estimates, one in three American schoolchildren is either a bully or a victim. Studies also find that 160,000 kids skip school [...]

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 [...]

REALITY CHECK: 64% of adults now favor “kid free zones” in restaurants, theaters, and planes. Time for an honest check – how are your kids behaving in public? You’ve spruced up the kiddos for a family night out at a restaurant. You intentionally chose one that hascloth tablecloths and fresh flower arrangements figuring it would [...]

REALITY CHECK: Thongs undies for preschoolers, periods at 7, push-up bras at 8, Botox at 16 all add up to missed childhoods if we don’t start parenting! Why we must put brakes on our children’s “too hurried, too fast, too sexy, too soon” lives so they can grow without missing out on just being kids. [...]

Is the “Middle Kid Syndrome” really a problem? Not if we apply the research.  Have more than two kids? Then I’m betting you’ve heard a few of these: “It’s like I’m stuck in the middle.” “But I don’t want to do things like my sister.” “I want my own stuff not these hand me downs.” [...]

Parenting advice to helping kids with pessimistic attitudes have a more optimistic outlook. New research finds optimism could curb kid depression as well as less heavy drug abuse and bad behavior “Optimism is the stable belief that one will generally experience good outcomes in life. We believe things will work out for the best.” Let’s face [...]

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 alert: Websites tailored to young girls that encourage negative self-image, eating disorders and cold-blooded cruelty Research is showing a clear and troubling trend in the mental health of our daughters. Eating disorders, stress, depression, smoking, binge drinking, a peer creulty are steadily rising. Though the internet is certainly not the prime cause, it can [...]

Research that puts the “Nature vs Nurture” debate into a whole new dimension. Four proven strategies that boost kids’ IQ and all are unplugged and don’t cost a dime (Yes! Yes! Yes!). It’s Not All Nature, Folks! Well, well, well. It looks like we can finally ease our parenting guilt (a little anyway) enough to [...]

Parenting tips to help reduce those homework battles and help kids develop study skills You can’t make me!” “Why do I have to do homework?” “Can’t I pleeeeease just go to bed?” “Homework time” can be very stressful and tension-filled for both child and parent. According to a survey by Public Agenda almost half of all [...]

Fun ways to get kids to write thank yous without whines and the proven value Did you know that writing a “thank you” note is a simple, proven way to boost your child’s gratitude? That’s what researchers from the University of  California at Davis and Southern Methodist University found. But that’s not all: Researchers also [...]

How parenting quotes can help you stay true to your parenting philosophy Over the years I’ve given keynotes and workshops to thousands of parents. I’ve spoken in every American state, almost every Canadian province and dozens of countries on four continents. The most interesting: Hutterites in Swift Current, the most fascinating:  a longhouse in Northern [...]

Parenting advice that helps you see the dangers of raising a spoiled kid and a four-word review to assess whether your child just may be even a tad bit spoiled. “Spoiled! Not my kid!” Right??? Or would you admit that your child is just a tad bit spoiled? All the polls say that most Americans [...]

I loved this article by Lori Lite and she graciously let me post it for you. Stress is mounting with our kids and they need to learn healthy ways to reduce it. These ideas are so simple but also doable…and you can have fun reinforcing the alphabet with your younger kids. Why not hang a [...]

Did you know that more top CEOs in United States graduated from a state college than an Ivy League University such as Harvard, Yale, or Princeton? Shocked? Research is showing there’s a far more important predictor of a grad’s future success than the prestige of the school or faculty or even the price of tuition. [...]

Last year your daughter was so sweet, suddenly she has an “attitude.” Two months ago your son was your best bud, now he treats you like you’re totally “uncool.” Welcome to the world of parenting an adolescent. Throw out any of those child-rearing manuals you’ve used in the past. For the tween to teen ages [...]

Note to Readers: I’m posting a blog by Marjie Knudsen below. I rarely do guest blogs but loved this one. Marjie is a writer who focuses on issues to enhance the relationship between children and the people in their lives. She’s also a huge advocate of Positive Psychology and emotional and social intelligence for children [...]

This week CNN-HLN emailed me the following story for my comments. “Mom: Bullying Led To Daughter’s Hospitalization Foxborough Woman Says Girl’s Been Bullied For Months” I read the headlines and had that knee-jerk response that I’m getting too often these days. What’s it going to take folks so we finally get serious about bullying? How many [...]

Always moody. Easily agitated. Sleeps in. Says, “Nobody cares.” Sounds like a typical teen, right?  Well not always. Did you know that depression now strikes one out of 20 teens?  What’s more, the rates of childhood depression are not only increasing but are also impacting younger kids. A kid today is ten times more likely [...]

Depending on which source you read, it’s estimated that the number of stay-at-home dads (SAHD) ranges anywhere from 140,000 (Census Bureau) to 2 million men (CBS News). Other statistics claim that of the nation’s 11.3 million preschoolers whose mothers are employed, 25% are regularly cared for by their father during their mother’s working hours (Census [...]

Q My child hates to make a mistake, and if he does he’s just devastated. I’ve probably not done the best job of responding. How should I help my son bounce back? Dania M from Bolder Colorado Of course we want our kids to succeed. And how we hate it when they fail. But the truth [...]

REALITY CHECK: The freshman year dropout rate has reached an all time high at more than 26 percent (that’s one of every four students) and four of ten students report feeling depressed to the point it was difficult to function. Depression, stress, and drop-outs peak during the SECOND half of the FIRST year.  Your son [...]

Studies confirm that children who love to read are more likely to not only succeed in school but also in the workplace. Studies also show that parents play a crucial role particularly on their older kids’ reading attitudes and behaviors, as well as helping to find the right book to capture their interest.  Here are [...]

Michele Borba Note to Reader: I’ve had many review of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions but this one by SFC Blog: Families Matter has to be one of my favorites. I designed the book to be a complete parenting reference. Because it is almost the size of a phonebook and is so comprehensive, it’s [...]

 Well, this morning had to be my all-time most “interesting” TODAY show appearance.  In case you missed it, I’ve included the link. The four minute spot that aired at 8:16 am live today made AOL’s Morning Rush list of the “five most memorable television moments from today” and at least two other comcast.net choices for [...]