Stress Management for Moms
6 proven parenting stress busters I shared on TODAY for the sake of our health and our kids' well-being Let’s face it, “Mommying” has always been stressful, so it should be no surprise that 70 percent of U.S. moms admit mothering is “incredibly stressful.” (A whooping 96 percent also feel that we are far more stressed than our own mothers). A few factors seem to be triggering Mommy Angst including financial insecurities, a more intensive parenting style where we do more-more more, higher (and...
How Kids in Rwanda Taught Me the Power of Giving
Education has always been a passion of mine. Moral development and nurturing children’s compassion and empathy are the essence of my work. So when General Mills asked me if I’d like to be a spokesperson for its Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks “Win & Give” campaign, I jumped at the opportunity. This campaign gives kids in the U.S. the opportunity to win a XO laptop from the non-profit One Laptop per Child (OLPC) and triggers a donation of the same laptop to kids in Africa. Through this...
Five Steps for Less Complaining, More Cooperating
A Guest Blog By Amy McCready, Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions We’ve all been there. You tell your kids to clean your room, and you can actually see their expressions glaze over. Remind Jacob to do his science homework, he rolls his eyes. Tell Emma to set the table, and the whining starts before you can hand her the forks. You’re not alone if you find yourself wondering when your kids signed up for Testing Patience 101. But these misbehaviors aren’t something they picked up at...
The Challenges, Joys and Special Tips for Raising Twins
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 every 30 babies born was a twin-an astounding increase over the one in 53 rate in 1980. Reasons for the "double" increase include more women delaying having a family...
How to Stop School Bullying and Turn A Troubling Trend Around
8 crucial steps educators and parents can take to reduce peer cruelty and create caring, respectful learning environments Studies show that bullying is intensifying in our schools. We are also seeing an epidemic of so-called bullying prevention programs. Beware: three fourths of those programs which have been evaluated are ineffective in curbing bullying (Farrington). Those one-time "Stop Bullying" assemblies or posters plastered on walls may look good, but are largely ineffective in...
College Depression: Crucial parental checks before your teen heads back
Parent Alert: College mental health crisis and signs your teen may be depressed or at risk of dropping out Your son or daughter is back from college for the holidays! He or she spent months studying for those SATs, filling out college applications and agonizing. Then acceptance! You move your teen into the dorm, hug goodbye and drive away assuming that the stress is finally over and the new life has begun.Right? Not according to the latest statistics from university counseling centers. Stress...
ADHD Kids and Bullying Vulnerability
Why ADHD boosts vulnerability to bullying; solutions for parents and educators of special needs children. I had pleasure of speaking with Peggy Dolan from the Edge Foundation who does wonderful work on coaching students with ADHD. Here is our interview and the two part series on bullying and ADHD that Edge posted on their site with permission to duplicate. An Interview With Dr. Michele Borba About ADHD & Bullying by Peggy Dolan Bullying is in the news all the time lately, but how often do...
10 Cutting Edge Kindergartens Shaping the Next Generation
Technology and innovative learning methods are becoming more and more common at all levels of education in the United States, from elementary school to college. Many may not realize how big of a role cutting edge ideas and technology may be playing even at the kindergarten level, however, as kids as young as five years old navigate lessons and educational tools on computers, mobile devices, and tablet computers and use new and improved methods to establish fundamentals in science, math,...
6 R’s That Reduce Student Bullying
In this educator keynote address, Dr. Michele Borba shares her program, The 6 R's That Reduce Student Bullying. [youtube_video id="FSRYXA0UP3o"]
Reinforcing the Boundaries for Sexual Harassment
A guest post by Edward F. Dragon, Ed.D. Author of The Bully Action Guide: How to Help Your Child and Get Your School to Listen Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that tends to create a hostile or offensive work environment. The Penn State and Syracuse sex scandal allegations are turning our eyes toward an ongoing issue that administrators and others in our schools would often rather not see. Like the...
Violent Video Games May Alter Empathy and Brains: 10 Games No Kid Should Play
There’s no doubt that video games are a part of the plugged-in generation’s lifestyle. Research shows that 99 percent of boys and 94 percent of girls ages 12 to 17 play computer, web, portable or console games.More than 90 percent of kids play video games 30 minutes a day. In fact, video gaming is so widespread among American kids that studies show that nearly every teen plays games in some way, regardless of gender, age or economic status. But that does not mean every kid should be allowed to...
Turn Holiday Stress Off
by Lori Lite, Founder of Stress Free Kids Just say the word “holidays” and most of us go straight into stress mode. The economy is adding extra restrictions on gift giving and children still have high magical expectations. With a shift of focus, you can turn the stress off and turn on good health, deeper connections with your children, and relaxation. Use this holiday season to incorporate relaxation and stress management into your family’s lives and keep the magic alive. 6 Tips to Help...
Teaching Kids’ Money Smarts During the Holidays
Parenting tips to teach kids financial literacy and to be smart spenders and consumers during the holidays Well folks, it appears that the "official" holiday shopping mania has begun. Those penny saver adds are life-size. TV commercials promising "sales of all sales" are non-stop. Black Friday sales hit a record high this week. You and I know the advertising blitz will only go into high-octane mode as the holiday countdown continues. But while you're searching for those deals and standing in...
Taming Temper Tantrums
What research says are best ways to curb a tantrum before, during and after the storm. The tips I shared on TODAY Show Temper tantrums—those annoying kid wails and frails and meltdowns—are common. Studies show that almost 70 percent of young kids have them. Tantrums are equally as common in girls as in boys. Older kids sometimes resort back to the tantrum stage, especially if there’s been a recent stress or change in their lives or they’ve learned they work to get their way. So if tantrums are...
How to Talk the Sandusky Trial and Sexual Abuse With Kids and Teens and Why You Must
Parent and educator guide to using the Penn State tragedy and Sandusky trial to talk about sexual abuse to kids and teens; rucial safety tips to prevent abuse and signs of sexual abuse Once again, the Penn State child sexual abuse case is in the news and has adults on full alert. “How could this have happened to those boys?” “Why didn’t anyone spot those signs sooner?” I’ve dealt with too many heart-broken parents who couldn’t believe that sexual abuse would happen to their children-but it...
Talking About Adoption to Kids
Arming adopted kids with answers to those sometimes insensitive "Where's your real mom?" "Didn't your dad love you?" type queries For every parent who has adopted a child, I honor you. Adopting parents are a special breed and research proves it. Studies show that most parents who adopt are highly motivated, better educated, and better off financially than parents who do not adopt. Adopting parents are also more likely to get help from mental health professionals for their adopted child when...
If Your Teen Is Cyberbullied
What to do if your child receives cyber-threats or you suspect cyberbullying “A number of middle school students—including my daughter--are receiving vicious anonymous emails and text messages from peers. The school sent a letter home describing the problem as “cyberbullying.” What do I do to help my daughter? When do I worry? Do I call the police? HELP (please!” - A concerned mother from Omaha, Nebraska This digital age problem is called “cyber bullying” and the impact can be lethal to our...
15 Famous and Successful People Who Were Bullied In School
Stories to share with kids of the rich and famous who were bullied from the Staff Writers on online colleges. Thank you! For bullied kids, it’s hard to imagine a life without anxiety and fear of taunting or physical abuse, but the fact is, even in what seems like the worst bullying situations, it does eventually get better. Lots of celebrities and famous figures have recently spoken out about their experiences as the targets of bullies, and their stories offer inspiration to anyone who is...
25 Facts for Bully Prevention Month
Troubling data about bullying educators, parent and concerned adults must know. The first step to stopping the cruelty is knowledge. Get educated! Facts are from onlinecollege.org Bullying exists as more than just a buzzword these days: it's a serious issue that's been troubling individuals and societies worldwide for centuries and is only just now receiving the essential attention. An article such as this cannot entirely summarize the social disease's true complexities, so it focuses mainly...
When Bullying Intensifies
How to work with the school to create a safety plan for your child when bullying continues and previous efforts fail You know your child is being bullied. You talked to your child or even with the teacher, tried strategies, but bullying continues. You’re fully aware that your child is suffering. You recognize the serious emotional consequences repeated bullying could have on your child’s mental health. You realize that if bullying intensifies your child’s physical or mental safety may be in...
Answers to Top Kid Behavior Issues Parents Ask
Picky Eaters. Tantrums. Sleepless. Time out! Whining. Top questions moms asked me last week on Dr. Drew Lifechanger's and my answers If you didn’t get the memo here is it is: There is no perfect parent. This I promise. We’re all in this extraordinary role of trying to raise good kids together and we all make mistakes. This week I had the pleasure of appearing again as the Parenting Lifechanger for Dr. Drew’s wonderful new show. Last month's show was on curbing Mommy Stress-here is the link...