Raising Optimistic Kids in Pessimistic Times

Raising Optimistic Kids in Pessimistic Times

Parenting tips to help kids be more optimistic especially in uncertain, anxious times.  “I'm not studying. The whole world is falling apart.”   "Why should I wear a mask? I'm just going to get that virus thing." “I don't want to go back to school. Nobody’s going to like me.”  Kids with pessimistic attitudes are among the most frustrating breeds. They give up easily, believe anything they do won’t make a difference, and assume they won’t succeed. Sadly, they rarely see the good, wonderful...

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Kid Procrastinator Cures

Kid Procrastinator Cures

Dr. Michele Borba offers parenting solutions from her book, THRIVERS to help kid procrastinators stop dawdling and get into the game of life so they are more likely to succeed.

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12 Ways to Tune Up Social-Emotion Skills

12 Ways to Tune Up Social-Emotion Skills

Few skills increase children’s confidence, social competence, empathy, resilience, and self-esteem more than emotional literacy skills because kids need them in every area of their lives. Dr. Borba shares practical strategies to help kids tune up their emotional ABCs in our digital-driven, social distanced world.

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6 Ways to Raise Kids Who Want to Make a Difference

6 Ways to Raise Kids Who Want to Make a Difference

Altruistic kids feel another’s pain or recognize a social problem and are driven to find solutions to help, and do so not for trophies or rewards but because they are driven by the passion of their hearts. Kids who act on their empathetic urges also find one of the best ways to reduce stress. It’s why doing for others is one of the best ways to boost resilience and help children learn to thrive. Six ways to raise difference makers.

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10 Ways to Raise Tolerant, Non-Racist Kids

10 Ways to Raise Tolerant, Non-Racist Kids

10 Ways to Raise A Non-Racist, Tolerant Child I was in the Portland, Oregon, airport last year and witnessed one of the most powerful lessons about teaching tolerance. About two dozen preschool children and their teachers were on an airport field trip. All were walking hand in hand and wearing t-shirts that read: “Children Are Not Born Racist.” It was quite an image. Other passengers were struck as I was, and many stopped to stare. One man standing near me said to no one in particular, “If...

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50 Books for Kids and Teens That Teach Empathy

50 Books for Kids and Teens That Teach Empathy

Great Kids' Books That Teach Empathy and Character Books can transport children to other worlds and transform their hearts. I learned that lesson as both a teacher and a mother. I've seen those wondrous moments when a child's heart opened and saw the world differently. It's why The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes is one of my favorite children's book. It tells the stirring story of Wanda Petronski, a poor, quiet, third-grade girl who always wears the same faded blue dress. Wanda has no...

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10 Ways to Raise a Charitable Child

10 Ways to Raise a Charitable Child

How to cultivate a giving spirit and raise a charitable child Samantha is not yet 4 years old, but she already has the makings of a charitable child. She was distributing school supplies with her family to kids at a shelter and noticed one child in a corner didn’t have a backpack. She picked up a spare, walked to him and said, “I sorry you don’t have one. I hope you happy.” The preschooler may have missed a few words. But her message displayed empathy and a charitable spirit, all because her...

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Kid Negativity Cures

Kid Negativity Cures

Dr. Michele Borba shares evidence-based parenting strategies to curb children’s negativity and pessimism to increase optimism and resilience.

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50 Ways to Model Character to a Child

50 Ways to Model Character to a Child

The easiest way to teach kids character is not a program, but by being an example of character. Be the model you want your child to copy.   Of course, we want our children to become good, responsible, respectful and successful human beings! But in our quest to "do it all" we may forget that some of the most powerful ways to help our children become good people aren't in the things we buy, but in the simple things we say and do. And how our children need those examples! Too many adults are...

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9 Ways to Cultivate Courage in Kids to Find Their Hero Within

9 Ways to Cultivate Courage in Kids to Find Their Hero Within

How to cultivate courage for our bubble-wrapped kids so they find strength to face adversity and do the right thing. Empathy Habit #8: MORAL COURAGE Empathy is the miraculous quality that allows us to feel with others, but in order to act on those feelings kids need Moral Courage. Courage emboldens kids to speak out, step in and help others and it is the eighth of the Nine Crucial Empathy Building Habits in UnSelfie. We can cultivate courage. So let's roll up our sleeves and get started. This...

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Cures for Kids Hooked on Rewards

Cures for Kids Hooked on Rewards

If your child is hooked on rewards, beware. Rewards can reduce kids' potential to thrive.  “What do I get if I do it?” “How much will you give me?” "Why should I do it if you don't pay me?" Heard any of these words lately from your darling offspring? If so, chances are your kid is suffering from a widespread kid epidemic called: “Hooked on Rewards.” Translation: the kid expects the gold stars, stickers, or monetary prizes for a job well done. Of course we want our kids to succeed: we’re...

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