121 — Empowering Kids to Thrive with Dr. Michele Borba

There’s a lot of pressure to ensure that we’re helping kids have everything they need to become successful adults. But it’s easy to overdo it and give them more help than they need, which prevents them from learning necessary life skills.
 
Dr. Michele Borba, a psychologist and parenting expert, has researched what kids need to thrive in life. She has written a new book called Thrivers. Some of the things she shares today are what separates resilient kids from everyone else, the two things kids need most, and the parenting strategies that foster life skills.

About the Guest(s):

Michele Borba, Ed.D.
 

• Renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting expert.
• Collaborated with esteemed organizations like Sesame Street and Harvard.
• Frequently featured on prominent media platforms, including over 150 appearances on the Today Show.
• Author of several critically acclaimed books, including “Thrivers” and “Unselfie.”

Episode Summary:

In this riveting episode of Mentally Stronger, host Amy Morin engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Michele Borba about raising resilient, well-adjusted children in today’s fast-paced world. Dr. Borba, an expert educator and bestselling author, delves into the essential strategies parents can adopt to help their kids thrive amidst mounting societal pressures.
 
They explore the critical importance of self-regulation, purposeful play, and adequate sleep in promoting mental strength in children. Dr. Borba emphasizes the need to focus on kids’ strengths rather than weaknesses and discusses practical parenting techniques to instill resilience, empathy, and integrity. Whether grappling with the challenges of over-scheduling or navigating the complex dynamics of screen time, parents will find actionable insights and inspiring advice in this episode.

Key Takeaways:

• Stop Rescuing: Allow children to experience and navigate difficulties to build resilience.
• Emphasize Play and Sleep: Crucial for reducing stress and fostering healthy development.
• Focus on Strengths: 77% of the time, parents focus on weaknesses, not strengths; flip this for better outcomes.
• Teach and Model Coping Skills: Help children identify and practice effective stress-reducing techniques.
• Discipline that Teaches: Use moments of discipline to instill problem-solving skills and resilience.