How Will the Gosselin Kids Handle Divorce?
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 Kate manage alone?" "Will Jon marry his girlfriend?" "How will they handle the finances?" But in the next few days and weeks the real focus needs to be on these eight children and...
Is Your Kid Really Ready to Fly Alone?
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 well aware that airlines frequently misplace luggage (why I've learned long ago to never ever check a bag), but I'm still baffled as to how it is that airplane employees can misplace a...
Preparing Your College Bound Teen to Live Solo Is Your Teen Really Ready?
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 change a light bulb or balance a checkbook, believe me you're not alone. Many parents are dealing with those same anxiety pangs. The good news is...
How to Know if Your Teen is Depressed
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 Laboratories to raise awareness about adolescent depression and have taken on this project because I want to help educate parents about what they need to know to help...
‘Boyology: A Teen Girls’ Crash Course in All Things Boys
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 unsettling for teens, too. The book is filled with stories from real teen stories across the country, and gives parents an insider's look at what their teens are experiencing...
Jon & Kate Plus 8, But What About the Kids?
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 with Matt Lauer on the Today show this morning who asked me what advice I'd give to these two parents. Here are a few of those tips: Watch the segment from TODAY One of the...
Tips for the Tyson Family: Helping a Child Grieve
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 a loved one is one of the most stressful events that a youngster can ever face, and even more so when it's a violent death. Late-breaking research reveals that certain...
Teachable Moments from ‘American Idol’
If you weren't among the millions watching this week's must-see TV event let me be the one to break it to you: Arkansas student Kris Allen was officially crowned as the eight American idol. A record high of nearly 100 million votes were cast in the finale and thousands of kids tuned into the season finale. I'm also betting that all too many debating the same hot topic: How much money and notoriety Allen will reap from his victory. The fact is scores of studies have found that this generation...
New Book by Trudy Ludwig Shows Girls That Perfectionism Has Its Price
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 age eight.” (Inskeep & Neighmond, 2004). A recent Harvard Mental Health letter warned that perfectionism is linked with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and...
How to Help Clingy Kids
Yesterday on the Today Show, I spoke with Natalie Morales about clingy kids. Natalie asked me to come on air and offer her sister tips for dealing with her three-year-old daughter's clinginess. Here are a few tips I gave. (The whole Today segment is available on MSBNC or Today.com to view). Excessive clinginess is a common phase in a child's early years. It usually starts around 8 or 9 months, peaks at 18 months, and then usually becomes less and less intense, ending around 2 years of age. It...
Did You Talk to Your Kids About Michael Phelps?
It's been a tough few days for the swimming great Michael Phelps. First that photo showing him inhaling marijuana pipe at a fraternity party surfaced on the Internet and immediately hit every news agency from here to Timbuktu. Next Kellogg Co. announced it would not renew its sponsorship contract with Phelps. (His photo currently graces the front of Yesterday USA Swimming suspended him from competition for the next three months. corn flakes boxes). Who knows what’s in store next for this...
3 Ways to Skirt the Whole Truth but Still Not Lie to Kids
The debate on how to talk to kids about touchy subjects is a hot one. Here is a comment I just received: Hi Dr Borba: I`m not a parent but I have this 4 year old nephew who`s really angry all the time and his parents are always complaining about his behavior. To me it`s simple. They`re just not honest enough with him. I find that if I`m totally honest with him, he is very understanding and cooperative. More than adults. I totally agree with: “But keeping kids in the dark about something so...
Parenting Resolution for Behavior: Helping a Clingy Child Feel Secure
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 are far more likely to be successful.H Here is a resolution to help a younger child feel more secure and less clingy. The Problem: Clinginess...
Parenting Resolutions for Academics What To Do If Your Child’s Grades Are Slipping
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 parenting resolutions. Each day this week I'll post another one of those resolutions we discussed. Here is the first sample parenting resolution: How to improve your child's slipping grades. The...
How to Stop Destructive Behaviors in Young Kids
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: by age eight if a child continues to display aggressive behavior it is very hard to turn around. Stop it ASAP! Question I have a friend who has a three year old, a two year old, and a one...
7 Proven Ways To Raise A Grateful Kid
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 pride as they describe their gratitude for their life blessings? B. Gently remind them of things they could share? C. Want to die from embarrassment since your kids...
7 Ways to Make Election Day a Fun Family Event to Help Your Kids Learn About Democracy
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. But this is it folks. November 4th is also a day to teach your children about citizenship, democracy and just how important is to vote. And we better teach...
How to Take the Fear Out of Halloween
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 there's also the scarier side of October 31 that can take the fun out of that big night and provoke anxiety, especially for little ones. Fears are a normal part of child...
Ten Secrets to Help Your Children Handle This Financial Crisis and Tough Times
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, it’s hard. When our kids’ tear up when we have to say no to the sport gear, instrument or shoes they wanted, it’s tough. But when you lose your job, car, home, savings, or your child’s college education,...
Is Your Child Gifted?
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?" What exactly makes a “gifted” child? The definition of gifted continues to be hotly debated. To date, there is no single agreed-upon definition. What is agreed is that high intelligence exists and it may be expressed in many different ways. Gifted children include persons from all ethnic groups and lifestyles and not merely “privileged environments.” Parents...
Questions About “Gifted” Children?
Dr. Michele Borba will be appearing on NBC's TODAY show on September 24th. She is interested in hearing your questions about on the topic of "gifted" children and gifted programs in schools. Do you have questions like: How do I know if my child is gifted? How should I treat my gifted child? My child's friends are in the gifted program, but he/she is not. What should I do? Should I even consider putting my child in a gifted program? Will being in gifted program help or hinder my child in the...