12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know
Getting Back to Basics and Raising Happy Kids
1. Edition April 2006
304 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
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
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
"12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know is a revolutionary,
wonderful, and welcome answer to a mother's prayers. Michele
Borba has shown us all how to be loving moms who raise great kids,
without losing our peace of mind, our lives as adults, or our true
selves."
--Phyllis George, former Miss America and former first lady of
Kentucky
"Michele infuses you with the wisdom and warmth of her over
twenty years of teaching, shares the savvy of her indepth research
of over 5000 parents and helps return you to the heart of
successful parenting."
--Stacy Debroff, author, The Mom Book and founder of
momscentral.com
"12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know is a Godsend for all
the anxious, stressed-out mothers who worry that they're not "doing
enough" (and that's pretty much everyone!)"
--Christiane Northrup, M.D., author, Mother-Daughter
Wisdom; The Wisdom of Menopause; and Women's Bodies, Women's
Wisdom
"I am a firm believer in the importance of parental involvement
and the tremendous influence mothers can have on their child's
development. I appreciate the message that this book
champions and the guidance it provides to mothers struggling to
foster a brighter future for their children."
--Mary Bono, Member of Congress, California's 45th
District
"Michele has done it again. She's given mothers a book
full to the brim with wisdom, stories, and tips on how to raise
happy, well adjusted children."
--Mimi Doe, author, Busy but Balanced and founder of
SpiritualParenting.com