Parenting tips for our left-handed children and some surprising research on how they turn out Do Lefties Have the Upper Hand? I admit I’m always glued to the news. But this week I tuned into an unexpected political revelation. I caught it the moment President Obama was signing a bill. It wasn’t what he signed, but [...]

Michele Borba REALITY CHECK: Did you know that almost one third of American kids and teens are considered either overweight or obese? We’ve read all the warnings that the long-term consequences of obesity are very serious. Not only does that child have much higher likelihood of having a hypertension, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, [...]

REALITY CHECK Research finds that between 8 and 10 percent of American children are seriously troubled by stress and symptoms. Stress is also hitting our children at younger ages. If left untreated stress not only affects children’s friendships as well as school success, but also their physical and emotional well-being. Chronic stress symptoms break down children’s [...]

By Michele Borba Let’s face it. Teens really are a different species –and for a variety of reasons. Raging hormones, stress, sleep deprivation, growth spurts, self-consciousness and neurological wiring make teens super sensitive, moody and irritable. Have a little empathy—they are stuck in the middle of childhood and still a bit dependent but have that [...]

Mom and Dad, wake up: If you assume your child is using that fancy home computer to stimulate his brain, think again. The hottest new trend has kids using those keyboards to send vile, hateful and highly slanderous messages about their peers through the Internet. Once confined to playgrounds, bullying has hit cyberspace, cell phones [...]

By Michele Borba 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 a teenager. Throw out any of those child-rearing manuals you’ve used in the past. To survive this [...]

By Michele Borba What were you thinking?” “But didn’t you tell the kids it wasn’t right?” “You did what?!!@!” Are you concerned that your kid always seems to go along with the crowd? Does she have a tough time speaking up and letting her opinions be known? Have you noticed that your child can be [...]

Most of us have such visions of our offspring being the world’s best buddies, but with kids living under the same roof some bickering is bound to be the outcome. The closer your kids are in age, the more likely the squabbles. While you can’t force your kids to like each other, there are ways [...]

By Michele Borba Let’s face it. It’s a tougher time to be growing up, and the data confirms it. Bullying is fiercer. Peer pressure is tougher. Kids are more aggressive. Girls are meaner. And those tougher temptations likes drinking, sex, and drugs are hitting our kids at younger ages as well as those sticky-tricky situations [...]

My first teaching job almost three decades ago was with a group of adorable six and seven-year-olds in Saratoga, California. I was also working on my doctorate at the same time and was fascinated with Harvard psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg’s new research on moral development. He believed morality is acquired in stages and could be increased [...]

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 [...]

Since you’re reading this article, l’m assuming things haven’t worked as well as you’d hoped in changing your kid’s behavior. So it’s time to try a new approach. Let’s begin  by reviewing a few basic principles of Behavior Makeover 101. Here are 10 key principles about changing kid behavior that every parent should know. Most [...]

Do you want to change your child’s bad behavior? Have you struggled to make that change happen but so far no luck? If so, I strongly recommend you follow the six key tasks of preparation, each time you try a new behavior makeover. These simple six strategies will help you achieve long-term behavior change. Use [...]

Every day this week, I’ll be posting a different big “parenting mistake”, so make sure to check back. Here is the fourth most common parenting mistake.   MISTAKE #4. Not Using the Rule of 21 Solution: Faithfully stick to changing one behavior at least for three weeks to reap results.  A big parenting mistake is [...]

Think stress is just for adults? Not these days. Research finds that between 8 and 10 percent of American children are seriously troubled by stress and symptoms. Stress is also hitting our children at younger ages. If left untreated stress not only affects children’s friendships as well as school success, but also their physical and [...]

This week I’m blogging about common parenting mistakes that we may making –and usually quite unintentionally. Being aware of them and changing our response can make a significance difference on our children’s behavior, attitude and character.  MISTAKE #3: Setting Unrealistic Expectations Solution: Use developmentally appropriate, realistic, child and success-oriented expectations.    Research proves a powerful [...]

This week I’ll be sharing common parenting mistakes that we unintentionally make with our children. Here is the second mistake I shared with Natalie Morales on the TODAY show.  PARENTING MISTAKE 2. Not Using the Right Words the Right Way Solution: Be mindful of the result you are seeking and your word choice to achieve [...]

Of course parents want to do the right thing so their kids grow to be happy, confident and successful. But over fifty years of child development research shows we may be making a few minor parenting mistakes that could have major impact in how our kids turn out. TODAY asked me to share a few [...]

Many parents say that explaining death to children is one of the toughest topics. So if you haven’t had that talk, are you ready this afternoon? Chances are highly likely that your child will ask you about death if not today then sometime soon. After all, the passing of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett is [...]

Bullying is always intentional, mean-spirited, rarely happens only once and the victim cannot hold his own. It is not teasing. If this is happening to your child, please know that your son or daughter is not alone. By some estimates, one in seven American schoolchildren is either a bully or a victim. Reports confirm that bullying [...]

Well, well. Jon and Kate finally made the big announcement last night that I’m sure was little surprise to most. Just in case you  missed it, they will be going their separate ways. Tweeters tweeted, bloggers went into high gear and every talk show host asked the same questions: “Will the show go on?” “How will [...]

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 [...]

Thinking of having your kid fly alone to visit someone this summer? After this week’s news you just may want to rethink your plans. It seems yet another unaccompanied minor flying to visit Grandma and Grandpa was someone “misplaced” by an airline and landed in not only in the wrong city, but the wrong state! I’m [...]

After all the test-taking, application filling, essay editing, campus touring, and acceptance-waiting, the big event is almost here: dropping your child off at college. But is your teen really ready to handle life away from home sweet home? If you’ve suddenly realized that your same high school grad who passed those SATs with flying colors,can’t [...]

Did you know that 1 out of 12 teens suffers from depression? I’ll be speaking with Dr. Tim Johnson about how to spot those signs and what to do if you suspect your child is depressed. This segment will air on ABC.com and is repeated on their cable network. http://abcnews.go.com/videoplayerindex?id=7804870 I am working with Forest [...]

Today Show Segment this morning on “Boyology”    Let’s face it, most parents are traumatized by the idea of dating and teens. That’s why I love Sarah O’Leary Burningham’s great new book, Boyology.  Though written as a crash course for girls about dating, it’s a great source to help parents understand that dating can be [...]

However your feelings about Jon & Kate Plus 8 my concerns are with their kids. It’s obvious that all is not well the Gosselin marriage. And both partners readily admit that their relationship is at a crossroads. While viewers sense their tension they may be unaware of how it is trickling down to the kids.  I spoke [...]

I’m sure your reaction to the death of former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson’s four-year old daughter was the same as mine: just profound sadness. But for her seven-year-old brother to find his little sister with an exercise cord from the treadmill wrapped around her neck is absolutely horrific! We know that the death of [...]

That old term “perfectionism” has popped up in the news lately. Here are just a brief review of the troubling headlines every parent should know and why we should be concerned:   In a study of 1,300 women, 50 percent of those with eating disorders described themselves as having been “obsessive perfectionists” as early as [...]

REALITY CHECK: When is the last time you’ve tuned into the voice tone your kids use when talking to you? If there’s even a speck of flippancy, then your resolution is to nip back talk and ASAP. Here is a resolution to help you curb back talk and tune up respect.  The Problem: Back-talk and Disrespect [...]

REALITY CHECK:  Have you set your parenting resolution for 2009? All this week I’ll be posting different types of parenting resolutions including ones to improve your child’s behavior, academics, social development, character and even health. Remember this: if you target just one–or no more than two–resolutions at a time and create a specific plan, you [...]

REALITY CHECK: Does your child need a little help in the academic department? Did you notice that his grades slipped a bit or could use a little improvement? If so, then there is your parenting resolution to take on.    This morning on the Today show I spoke with Al Roker about how to set [...]

Reality Check: Have you set your parenting resolutions for 2009? If not, why not? While the rest of the world seems set on resolving to diet more, eat healthier or figure out how to save money, don’t overlook resolving to find ways to be a better parent. After all, setting the right resolution for your [...]

I’m receiving so many queries from Moms lately about how to stop destructive behaviors in young kids. Here is one of those emails and my answer to the mother. Please know aggression is learned. Don’t think it is a phase! Nip it in the bud so it doesn’t become entrenched. Arnold Goldstein’s work is clear: [...]

It’s Thanksgiving Day and your family and guests are at your festive table ready for the meal to begin, but you first want folks to share their Thanksgiving blessings. Be honest. Which scenario would best depict your reaction when it’s your children’s turn to count their blessings with the group? Would you… A.    Beam with [...]

REALITY CHECK:  What have your kids learned these last two years about democracy and the electoral process? It’s November 4th. Election Day! The moment that defines who we are as a democracy.  It’s easy to overlook how significant voting is—especially when the election day coverage has been going on non-stop it seems for two years plus. [...]

This morning on the Today show I spoke with Al Roker about one of my family’s favorite holiday–Halloween. Halloween always has been at the top of most kids’ “fun holidays.” And why not? Playing dress up, asking for candy and getting it, staying out a bit late and carving pumpkins–it’s all the stuff kids love. But [...]

Let’s face it, these last few days have been a stressful roller coaster ride as we watch that stock market. My email box has been flooded with notes from concerned moms and dads asking for tips on how to stop yelling at their kids. Stress builds quickly and turns into anger. Yelling is contagious, so [...]

The topic of “gifted children” sure hit a cord with many of you. My email box is still loaded with questions. I’ll try to answer as many of your questions as possible here on my blog. The topic of pushing vs. nurturing is a hot one. Here is a question I received from a mom [...]

These are tough times for us all, but they can be especially hard if you have kids After all a big part of parenting is about wanting our children to be happy and shielding them from the more painful parts of life. So when our child’s face crumble because we can’t afford their birthday party, [...]

Over the last few weeks my email box has been filled with questions from parents. All deal with the same issue: “Is my child gifted?” The interest has been so strong, I’ll be doing a special segment tomorrow (Wed, September 24 at 9:14 am) on the Today Show. I’ll also be answering queries from parents [...]

Back to school this year is especially tough because many budgets may be feeling squeezed. But we still want to get our kids what they need and the fun, fashionable supplies they want. As an educator and a mom of three, I think back to school shopping is a great time to teach your child [...]

Here is a recent question I received from a mom about those soaring gas prices and trying to keep the kiddies content. If it helps, pass it on to others, please! QUESTION I have 3 little ones! 1 1/2 and 4 and 6? I’m a stay at home mom and this summer I think is [...]

I receive dozens of letters each week from parents. Unfortunately I can’t get to answering them all, but do try in this blog or in my Parenting Secrets blog I write for iVillage. This query from a mom about the media impact on our daughter’s body image concerned me so, I wanted to include my [...]

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 closet, and know it doesn’t belong to him. The one behavior [...]

Well, well. It now appears that the Gloucester High School story that rocked the nation these past days is just a hoax. In case you missed the news 17 young teens at the small Massachusetts high school allegedly made a pact to get pregnant and then help raise each other’s babies. It turns out that [...]

“So Mom, when did you lose your virginity?” “What kind of drugs did you do Dad?” “How many times did you do it?” Kids have always said the darnedest things, but these days they’re also asking embarrassing and frank questions about their parents’ past lives: “How old were you when you took your first drink?” [...]

There is one cardinal rule about children that law enforcement and mental health professionals are well aware: Do not ever give notoriety to a teen-initiated crime, suicide, school shooting or homicide. Ever. Front-page coverage to such a tragedy actually increases the odds that an emotionally fragile teen (or teens) will duplicate the act. It’s called [...]

A disturbing video of a violent physical attack on a teen girl hit the wires this week. Her assaulters were six teenage girls—cheerleaders at the local high school—and their actions were calculated and animalistic. In case you missed what happened in Lakeland, Florida here’s the recap: On March 30 six teenage girls lured a 16-year-old [...]

Last week I did a Today show segment on “How to Stop Your Little Whiner.” For those of you requesting the blog that goes to that segment, here you are. (Better late than never??? Sort of anyway. Sorry! It’s been a hectic week. Whining-that pitiful, loud, grating sound-is one of the most irritating of kid [...]