Parents Do Make a Difference: How to Raise Kids with Solid Character, Strong Minds, and Caring Hearts
- What inspired you to write a book about how to help kids succeed?
I was in a bookstore one day trying to find a book on how to help kids be more successful. Every book about success was written for adults! I thought: Why wait until adulthood to learn how to be successful? Kids need to learn the skills of success now so they will become lifelong habits. I committed myself to writing a book on how to raise successful, decent kids filled with practical and proven activities. It became "Parents Do Make a Difference."
- Aren't our children's chances for success pretty much determined at birth by their genes? Can parents really make a difference?
No child is born successful: they've learned how to be successful. And we can make an enormous difference because we can teach them the skills research says matter most in helping kids become their best.
- You say success is learned and we can enhance kids' chances for success by teaching skills. What are the most important skills of success?
Research says there are eight indispensable skills our kids need for living confident, happy, and productive lives: positive self-esteem, awareness of your strengths, communication, problem solving, getting along, goal-setting, perseverance, and empathy. And we can teach them to our kids!
- How do you know teaching these skills to kids will help them be more successful?
The activities in Parents Do Make a Difference were used with over 1000 students at three schools in an intensive study analyzed by Wright State University. Ninety-eight percent of the teachers at the schools noticed positive student changes: they were more confident, courteous, respectful and there were far fewer incidents of physical aggression and verbal put downs. The best proof is from the calls and letters I continually get from parents to thank me for giving them such simple ways to help their children become more successful.
- You say that the trait of caring is certainly a success builder. As parents and youth leaders, how can we nurture this trait?
Researchers have proved we can instill the trait of caring in our children through our own behavior and our efforts can be lasting. And families everywhere are taking time to volunteer their energy and resources to help make our world a better place. By watching their parents' examples, kids are realizing that their parents passionately value the trait of caring and are "catching" their caring spirit. There are dozens of ways to get involved, lend a hand, volunteer, or show you care. This site lists dozens of fabulous possibilities-take advantage of them and get involved with your kids. When children understand that caring can make a difference, they will be more likely to incorporate that behavior in their own lives. It's one of the greatest legacies we can give them.
Dr. Michele Borba is an internationally-recognized consultant in strengthening children's character development, success potential and self-esteem. To find more about Dr. Borba's work, visit www.MicheleBorba.com.
