When people ask author and educational psychologist Michele Borba what kids need to be successful and happy, she confidently proclaims, “Empathy!” And yet, our popular culture, with its emphasis on “I” and “me” seems to fly in the face of empathy as a core value. We've all seen kids and adults alike constantly snapping “selfies” to document their every move.

 

How did we come to this? To what extent has addiction to devices contributed to the decrease in empathy observed by researchers? What other factors have contributed to these changes? Most importantly, what can we do now as parents, teachers and other caring adults to make sure children build this important quality of empathy from the earliest years? Dr. Borba joins Marti & Erin for a rich discussion in this week’s Mom Enough episode, offering practical strategies for putting empathy front and center in your child’s life and in the life of your whole family.

 

HOW WILL YOU HELP YOUR CHILD "UNSELFIE"?

In this discussion, what practical ideas did you hear that you could use this week with your children, whatever their ages? Michele Borba talks about establishing your family’s “moral identity.” What words would you and your family use to describe “who we are as a family”?

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

❉ RAISING FEMINIST BOYS: DR. BOBBI WEGNER DISCUSSES GENDER, SEX & EMPATHY. Psychologist and author, Dr. Bobbi Wegner joins Marti & Erin for a compelling conversation on the importance of teaching our children — and especially our sons — about sex, consent, identity, gender, and empathy.

 

❉ NURTURING YOUR CHILD’S EMPATHY, INFANCY TO ADULTHOOD. In this episode of Mom Enough, Dr. Megan Gunnar, professor in the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, joins Marti & Erin to discuss early signs of empathy in infancy, the growing capacity for it in the toddler period, and simple, practical tips for parents.

 

❉ THE DANISH WAY OF PARENTING: AN INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA JOELLE ALEXANDER. Tune into this Mom Enough episode with Jessica Joelle Alexander, best-selling author of The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids. Listen and learn why ultimatums aren’t helpful and why empathy, “equal dignity” and happy times together are key to raising self-assured and joyful children.