The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Guest Blogs are fantastic - and Michele Borba is not only a very good friend of mine, she is one of our country's leading Parenting Expert.  When I read her recent Blog, I begged to be able to share it! (Actually, I didn't have to beg, Michele doesn't mind sharing her knowledge!)  Enjoy your "reality check" Blog for this holiday weekend.....  By Michele Borba Talking with an adolescent can be like walking through a minefield. At any moment you could be asking what you thought was a simple, sincere question only to find it triggering an explosive response. You know that communication keeps you connected to your child, but it often seems to backfire because of the type of questions asked. Research proves our instincts: The number one antidote to risky-kid behavior is a strong relationship with a parent. Believe it or not our kids even like us and want us in their lives! (Really!!!!) A recent Girl Scout of America survey found that tween girls want their...

This is a sensitive subject and many will be appalled and disgusted, however as a parent, it is about being educated. Knowing what can be happening in your neighborhood, in your schools, or even in your own home - is your responsibility as a parent to stay in touch with your children and their lives. " Rainbow Party " by Paul Ruditis , is written as fiction, however has a powerful message that many will be shocked to hear about. This rainbow party is not about homosexuals coming out, it is about sex and your teens. It is, in fact, an oral-sex party in which each girl wears a different color lipstick. In theory, after the girls perform oral sex on the boys, they would be left with rainbows around their penises. Many parents have the sex talk with their kids. Many schools offer sex education. There are also many resources, websites and books that can help educate your teens to be better prepared when they do decide to have sex. But have you talked to your teens about the...

Here we are with the final quarter of Dr. Michele Borba's brilliant expertise with parenting issues. Her largest book to date, BIG Book of Parenting Solutions , has become one of the most requested parenting books. Not only are parents buying this book, many grandparents, daycare providers, coaches, teachers and anyone that works with today's kids are holding this book hostage as their direct guide to success. Michele Borba Has Answers to Parents Everyday Challenges & Worries 101 topics the author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions can address SPECIAL NEEDS 77. Attention Deficit 78. Autism Spectrum Disorder 79. Depressed 80. Eating Disorders 81. Gifted 82. Learning Disabilities 83. Overweight DAY TO DAY 84, Bathroom Battles 85. Boredom 86. Chores 87. Communicating 88. Disorganized 89. Money 90. Moving 91. Overscheduled 92. Pets 93. Picky Eater 94. Safety 95. Sleepless 96. Traveling ELECTRONICS 97. Cell Phone 98. Cyberbullying 99. In...

Big Book of Parenting Solutions by Dr. Michele Borba has become one of the most popular parenting books to own. Why? It is simple, and seriously very simple to read, comprehend and easy to go straight to the topic you need to learn about without having to sift through a lot of pages. This book is like a Betty Crocker Cookbook – all indexed – easy to read and understand recipes (parenting recipes for raising kids today) as well as easy to use tabs to take you instantly to where you want to be. Michele Borba Has Answers to Parents Everyday Challenges & Worries 101 topics the author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions can address: FAMILY 1. Adopted 2. Divorce 3. Middle Child 4. New Baby 5. Oldest Child 6. Only Child 7. Sibling Rivalry 8. Twins and Multiples 9. Youngest Child BEHAVIOR 10. Argues 11. Back Talk 12. Biting 13. Bossy 14. Brags 15. Defiant 16. Demanding 17. Hooked on Rewards 18. Impulsive 19. Indecisive 20. Swears 21. Tantrums 22. Time-O...

Part 7 of my sneak peek into Dr. Michele Borba's world! Actually into her BIG BOOK of Parenting Solutions , we will explore a characteristic in teens and children I hear from parents a lot - DEFIANCE! Labels, labels and more labels. Today we will talk about a common label "ODD" also known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Red Flags Constantly resists your simplest requests, questions authority, pushes every limit; is blatantly disrespectful, noncompliant. Turn to pages 76-85 and be prepared to learn all you ever wanted to know about defiant behavior. This includes signs and symptoms, how to change and why to change, and most important early intervention as well as detailed steps to help you be an educated parent. Michele Borba offers great advice and resources to help you help your child. Could Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? Although all children will display a defiant streak and try pushing the limits every now and then, when such behaviors pers...

Order your copy today! The BIG Book of Parenting Solutions is your recipe to parenting kids today. This tremendous book is similar to a cookbook of extra special, proven results for parenting! This book is not only for today's parent, it is a perfect baby shower gift, holiday gift, or simply to give to a parent today raising kids. They will be forever grateful. Here is just a sample of the hundreds of proven and simple tips from Dr. Borba’s latest book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions . The best news is that these solutions work for all ages, take less than a minute to do, are based on proven research and when consistently used will reap lasting change. 1. Get attention: Lower your voice almost to a whisper and then say your request. Kids aren’t used to a quiet request. 2. Increase positive behavior: Research shows that giving kids the right kind of praise (called “positive reinforcement”) is one of the best ways to shape new behavior. So, catch your kid doing the action you ...

I recently reviewed a wonderful children's book, Boom... Boom... Boom...., by Marsha Jacobson . She is also a contributor to an educational website called My Child Feels . I recently read a great article she posted about emotional intelligence on her website. Be an educated parent and take time to learn more about children's feelings today. Does High Emotional Intelligence Predict Success? By Marsha Jacobson Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a person’s ability to identify, organize and act on their feelings and the feelings of others in a healthy and productive way. Does increasing an individual’s emotional intelligence correlate to a higher probability of long-term personal success and happiness? There are countless examples from recent times that show the correlation to be true. Daniel Goleman ’s book “ Emotional Intelligence ” (1995) introduced the idea of emotional intelligence to professionals and laymen. It boldly claimed that in predicting personal success, EQ could be...

Like most parents, you desperately want to raise healthy, happy, caring, self-sufficient kids. But despite the stacks of parenting books you’ve collected, you’re still struggling to find workable solutions to your child-rearing conundrums. Enter parenting expert and author Dr. Michele Borba . In a marketplace overly saturated with trend-based parenting books promising dubious quick fixes, Borba saw a void that needed to be filled. She realized parents were getting answers to their questions, and yet these “solutions” failed to deliver lasting, long-term results. Her response was to sit down and write the parenting book to end all parenting books. I had the opportunity to interview TODAY’s parenting contributor about her latest book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions . Here is what she said: Let’s face it, there are so many parenting books. Why did you find need to write another? I wanted to write one all-encompassing, go-to guide that promises to be the last resource parents will eve...

I am currently reading, " Crash-Proof Your Kids " and I am so impressed at all the information in one book! Of course, I cheated and moved forward in the book, and couldn't believe how much valuable tips, statistics and advice is listed. As soon as I am done, I will place this book on my Books and Website blog . For now, I think this is such a critical topic for parents, I am posting an article from the author from the website, Crash Proof Your Kids . The Jekyll/Hyde Syndrome By Timothy C. Smith As parents of teenagers we’re already painfully aware of their ability to change their personality overnight. Or sometimes in the course of half an hour, depending on the fluctuations of hormone flow and incredibly annoying things we do to trigger their bizarre behavioral changes. Well, recent research indicates that there really is a biological basis for this schizoid behavior. Dr. Jay Giedd, chief of brain imaging in the child psychiatry branch at the National Institute of Me...

Get ready for Dr. Michele Borba's BIG Book of Parenting Solutions , releasing just in time for school. Here is another sneak peak about a very important topic, bullying. REALITY CHECK: Research finds that 49 percent of kids say they’ve been bullied at least once or twice during the school term, but only 32 percent of their parents believed them. By Michele Borba Those school doors will be opening soon and excitement is in the air. But many kids may not be sharing that excitement and in fact may be a bit jittery. And they have good cause. One study found that one out of every four children will be bullied by another youth in school this month. If your child is bullied, it means that peers are intentionally causing him pain. Reports also confirm that bullying is starting at younger ages and is more frequent and aggressive that ever before. Do know that if your child is bullied chances are he or she did NOTHING to cause it. Bottom line: bullying behavior must be taken very seriously....

Dr. Michele Borba is getting ready to release her BIG BOOK of Parenting Solutions , and she is giving you a sneak peak of what you will find inside. Source: Reality Check Blog from Michele Borba By Michele Borba How to Raise a Moral Child I recently worked with PARENTS magazine to conduct an online survey of over 2400 moms. One question: “How do you hope your child turns out?” Next to health and happiness, most parents hoped their children would grow to be adults with solid character and strong morals. One thing is certain: parents who raise moral kids don’t do so by accident. We also know that home is the best school for teaching character. And the best time to teach the beliefs and habits that boost strong character are in everyday intentional moments. Here are ten tips to help you raise your child to have a strong moral intelligence from my new book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions. 1. Commit to Raising A Moral Child How important is it for you to raise a moral child? It’s a cru...

More great parenting advice from Parenting Expert and Guru, Michele Borba! Don't forget to order her BIG BOOK of Parenting Solutions . By Michele Borba How to Choose Your Family Values & Become a More Intentional Parent REALITY CHECK: Parents don’t raise moral kids by accident. They know what they stand for and pass those values onto their children deliberately and purposefully. So here’s your Reality Check: If you sat your child down right now and asked: “What do we stand for in this house? or What values matter most to our family?” would your child be able to answer? If not, it just means you’re not tuning up your values strong enough so your child adopts them for his own moral core. Suppose you were allowed just one wish for your children and just suppose your wish would be granted. Here is the rule: The wish must be something you personally can control (so it can’t things like your child’s health, financial status, or longevity). It must also be something you can inspire o...

As a Parent Advocate , I am a huge fan and friend of Michele Borba ! I am very excited that her 23rd book will be released in September 2009. The reviews are in and they are outstanding! The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries Publishers Weekly Borba, author and Today Show regular, employs a cookbooklike approach in her latest volume: rather than read through the entire tome, parents can flip to topics pertinent to their family. Borba opens with a friendly overview, noting that contemporary parents feel more stressed and find their roles increasingly difficult (June Cleaver, she points out, didn’t have to deal with cyberbullying or Facebook). With characteristic wit, Borba identifies the “seven deadly parenting styles,” including helicopter, buddy, incubator, bandage, paranoid, accessory parenting (judging themselves by their kids’ accolades) and secondary parenting (relinquishing power to such outsiders as marketers or the me...

Dr. Michele Borba , again has given us an educational and informational Blog - this time about our teens moods and how to survive them! Her new book coming out in September, The BIG Book of Parenting Solutions will offer you literally volumes of great parenting advice! By Michele Borba Last year your daughter was so sweet, suddenly she has an “attitude.” Two months ago your son was your best bud, now he treats you like you’re totally “uncool.” Welcome to the world of parenting a teenager. Throw out any of those child-rearing manuals you’ve used in the past. To survive this age group and come out sane you need a whole new parenting perspective. Mark Twain offered one of most ingenious solutions: “Put them in a barrel,” he said, then and nail it shut until they turn nineteen. Only then should you let them out.” Here are a few more realistic (and legal) tips from my book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries that might help yo...

By Joe Bruzzese Author of "A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years" I personally read this book and found it to offer some great information for parents that have kids entering middle school for the first time - or even helpful tips if they are already there. Purchase today - click here . Joe Bruzzese also offer fantastic parenting tips on his website, here is his Lesson #178.... "Coaches, teachers, mentors and their impact during the middle school years" Coaches, teachers, mentors and their impact during the middle school years. According the US Census Bureau, kids age 10-14 spend the majority of their waking hours in the care of someone other than their parents. Consider carefully who these people are and the long term impact they will have on your child's development. Watch the Video here: http://thinking-forward.typepad.com/ Does your middle schooler have you completely confused, frustrated or confused and frustrated? I would love to hear fro...

Family Intel - Intelligent Solutions for Busy Families Wow - who can't relate to this today? What they do: The challenges and pressures parents face in today’s fast-paced world are far different from those just a generation ago. According to Pew Research Center, the majority of people say parents today have a tougher job than parents 20 years ago. Family life has changed. Fortunately, families are not forced to tackle these responsibilities unprepared and hope for the best. Respected authors continually publish books that provide insights on managing the daily efforts to raise children and strengthen families. However, no single book covers all the issues or solves all the problems associated with parenting and marriage. In addition, super-busy families with hectic schedules, long work hours, and school and sports activities are left with little -- if any -- time to sort through the vast and overwhelming options, let alone read them all. FamilyIntel equips busy families with pra...

In today’s economy, this is an encouraging website for teens, tweens and parents. Encouraging your kids to reach for their goals and dreams. This website has great employment tips for all age of teens up to college kids. I am so amazed at the wealth of ideas for kids and being successful! Want to Raise Successful, Self-Made, Sharing Millionaire Kids? Visit: http://www.millionaire-kids.com/index.html Do your kids think money grows on trees? Do you worry your kids may end up in debt when they grow up? And do you want them to become a doctor or lawyer so they’ll make a high salary and live comfortably? If so, you’re not alone. Sadly, most kids don’t have a clue how to handle money…and will most likely make costly mistakes…no matter how high their salary is…that will cause them years of struggle and stress. That’s why it’s SO important for you to teach your kids how to develop smart money habits. So they don’t end up stuck working at a dead end job because they need the money…or working fo...

Vanessa Van Petten has been such an inspiration to so many people and many parents! As a young adult she has given us the inside scoop on our teens and the way they are wired today! Her first fantastic book, You’re Grounded , How to Stop Fighting and Make the Teenage Years Easier, was written when she was 17 years old - helping parents see life through a teens eyes. Vanessa Van Petten is one of the nation’s youngest experts on parenting and youth. Her new website - Radical Parenting is becoming very busy! Here is one of her most recent articles and I am confident many parents will enjoy reading it. WHAT DO KIDS DO WHEN PARENTS ARE OUT Last week I went over to a client’s house and was working with her on the time management lesson of my program. We were looking at her school planner and slotting in her homework and project schedule. I noticed that for Tuesday night she had highlighted, added stickers and highlighter smiley faces. “Is it your birthday?” I asked. “No, it’s the night of t...

As a fan of Ziggy - this character can always put a smile on your face. So parents, take a break and treat yourselves to some Ziggy Time . New York, NY - (April 28, 2009) – The world’s ultimate optimist is larger than life. Now appearing through the end of June, in the heart of one of the business hubs of the world, Ziggy is shining down from the CBS Jumbotron Billboard in Times Square in New York City. The Ziggy billboard, located at 8th Avenue and 42nd Street, is a huge monument of the major media marketing blitz that’s been happening for the launch of the new book, Zig-zagging: Loving Madly, Losing Badly – How Ziggy Saved My Life (HCI Books - $17.95), a memoir by Tom Wilson, Ziggy cartoonist. Complimenting the billboard and a host of positive pre-release book reviews, and the viral video interview , Wilson has been receiving bountiful media exposure and praise regarding the new book. In addition to an in-depth personal interview that is appearing in a nationally syndicated newspape...

Are you a parent at your wit’s end? Learn from my mistakes and all that I have learned over almost a decade of researching this very daunting industry of “teen help.” It has been almost 10 years since I made the HORRIBLE MISTAKE of choosing Carolina Springs Academy for my daughter who was struggling. Good kid making some not so good choices? I felt she needed some sort of program to help her through her struggles - and sadly what we received was anything but help. In the past 9+ years - I have successfully defeated WWASPS / Carolina Springs Academy through a jury trial as well as continuing to be a voice for parents that are at their wit’s end. I also won the landmark case ($ 11.3M Jury Verdict for Damages ) for Internet Defamation and Invasion of Privacy done to my by a former WWASPS parent that defamed me online. Read more about that in my upcoming book . If you are considering a Teen Help Program - take your time, do your homework - learn from my mistakes and gain from my knowl...