12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know: Getting Back to Basics and Raising Happy Kids

Best-selling parenting guru Michele Borba, the mother of three, has surveyed 5,000 mothers for their experience and wisdom in raising happier, more confident kids by returning to a more natural, authentic kind of mothering. She shares 12 top secrets of successful moms culled from her research and shows how to apply them to your family. You’ll learn how to… Apply the 12 essential principles that child experts and 5,000 parents say matter most in good mothering Raise children with confidence, resilience, and character Create a customized mothering plan and use it so it leads to success with your child Cut the guilt and reduce the stress by sticking to what really counts in parenting good kids today Discover simple ways to make big differences in your family’s life

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments xi Note to the Reader xiv Introduction: What is a Real Mom? 1 Part One How Can a Real Mom Give Her Children Love That Lasts for Always? 17 Chapter One From the Sacrificial Mom to the Child Who Can Thrive Without You 19 Chapter Two What is a Real Mom These Days? 23 Chapter Three Why Being a “Sacrificial Mom” is Bad for Your Kids 33 Chapter Four Can Our Kids Make It on Their Own? 45 Part Two The 12 Simple Secrets of Real Mothering 59 Real Mom’s Secret 1 A Mother Who Loves Teaches Worth 61 Real Mom’s Secret 2 A Mother Who is Firm and Fair Gives Her Children a Moral Code to Live By 77 Real Mom’s Secret 3 A Mother Who Listens Shows Her Children They Matter 93 Real Mom’s Secret 4 A Mother Who is a Good Role Model Gives Her Children an Example Worth Copying 107 Real Mom’s Secret 5 A Mother Who Teaches Values Inspires Character 125 Real Mom’s Secret 6 A Mother Who Supports Her Children’s Strengths Builds Their Confidence 143 Real Mom’s Secret 7 A Mother Who Encourages Independence Cultivates Self-Reliance 161 Real Mom’s Secret 8 A Mother Who Applauds Effort Nurtures Perseverance 177 Real Mom’s Secret 9 A Mother Who Accepts Her Children’s Shortcomings Nurtures Resilience 193 Real Mom’s Secret 10 A Mother Who Takes Time for Her Children Helps Them Build Strong Relationships 213 Real Mom’s Secret 11 A Mother Who Laughs Teaches Joy 231 Real Mom’s Secret 12 A Mother Who Takes Care of Herself Holds Together Her Happy Family 249 The Last Word 269 References 271 About the Author 283

About the Author :
Michele Borba, Ed.D., recipient of the National Educator Award, is the author of Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me; Don't Give Me That Attitude!; No More Misbehavin'; Parents Do Make a Difference; and Building Moral Intelligence, all from Jossey-Bass. She appears regularly on talk shows, including the Today show, The View, and The Early Show. Visit her on the Web at www.micheleborba.com.

Review :
"A worthy addition for most parenting collections." (Library Journal, February 15, 2006)