In the first episode of the second season of “Kids Under Construction” Dr. Michele Borba offers the audience a wealth of practical advice. Just what families are looking for! Despite the pandemic, parents shouldn’t raise the white flag and give up on their kids’ lives, says the internationally renowned psychologist and author of 24 books. In her latest bestseller, Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, she writes that our children have lost their compassion and empathy for others. She blames too much time on screens for lessoning human interaction. Without empathy children cannot succeed in life, despite stellar grades and test scores.
Dr. Borba tells host Donna Tetreault that parents should pay more attention to their children now, watching for signs of stress and helping them cope. Tibetan monks taught the renowned psychologist the secret of deep breathing to relieve anxiety, which she passes on to parents during the conversation. She suggests helping children discover hobbies – finding a passion. Not only to keep them occupied now, but hobbies may become a life-long interest. She warns all of us not be “alone together.” If you or your child is on Zoom, or at home, make sure they’re engaged and not just sitting there alone without awareness for those around them.
This not-to-be-missed episode is chock full of carefully crafted optimism and new found wisdom for the precarious job of raising children during a pandemic. If you’re a parent, grandparent or relative this episode has some answers.