The Top 10 Rules to Raise Successful Kids

 

What are the top 10 rules to raise successful kids? Recently, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and San Diego State University took a look at data from an extensive longitudinal study of more than 1,000 students born in the early 1990s, which tracked them from the beginning of kindergarten through their high-school graduation in 2010. The results revealed that there were key things that parents could do to help their children be more successful in life. Based on this research, we’ve put together our own list of what we believe are the top 10 rules to raise successful kids. Here they are...

 

1) Acknowledge your child's strengths and weaknesses.

To be a successful child, you need to have both strengths and weaknesses. If your child is excelling in one area, they will most likely be struggling in another. When you acknowledge your child's strengths and weaknesses, you give them the opportunity to grow. For example, let's say that your son loves soccer and hates school. You can continue playing soccer with him or find different ways for him to learn about school by showing videos or reading books together.

 

2) Encourage your child's interests

Don't discourage your child's interests. Encourage them and allow them the time to pursue their interests, as long as it's safe for them. Even if you don't think they're talented at something or that they'll be successful, it doesn't mean they won't be. Every child is gifted at something and should be encouraged in their pursuits of those gifts.

 

3) Set an Example

If you want your kids to be successful, you need to show them what that looks like. If they see you working hard and taking care of your responsibilities, they will be more likely to work hard and take care of their responsibilities too. Make sure they are not just following in your footsteps, but that they are striving for success in their own way. Help them find their own passions and then help them pursue those goals with the same drive you had when chasing yours.

 

4)Let your child fail.

One of the most common mistakes parents make is trying to prevent their child from experiencing failure. But, as Dr. David Walsh writes in his book The Resilient Child, We need to teach our children how to cope with adversity. The best way we can do that is by letting them experience it and learn from it.

 

5) Teach Self-Awareness & Accountability

Self-awareness and accountability are skills that can be taught. Start by explaining the idea of self-awareness and encouraging your child to think about their strengths and weaknesses. Then, teach them how to take personal responsibility for their actions. Next, help them apply these skills by creating a plan for what they will do when faced with a challenge or temptation. Finally, reward your child each time they follow through with their plan.

 

6) Encourage Determination

Encourage determination. If your child has a goal in mind, do everything you can to encourage them and help them find ways to achieve it. Your support will go a long way in helping them get closer to their goal.

 

7) Treat Everyone Equally

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is raising children unequally. When you start to notice and treat your kids differently, it can be a sign of favoritism. We’ve all heard the phrase treat everyone equally, but how many of us actually do? This rule may seem like one that won’t necessarily impact the success of your children later in life—and you’d be right—but it’s a great guideline to follow while they are young.

 

8) Set Boundaries & Expectations

When parents don’t set boundaries, kids can develop behavioral problems as well as low self-esteem. By establishing rules and expectations for your children, you’re showing them that you care about their behavior and want to help them learn the skills they need to succeed later in life. It also helps them understand how their choices affect themselves, their community and the world at large.

 

9) Believe in Them When No One Else Does

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to believe in your children when no one else does. No matter how smart, talented or gifted your child might be, other people are always going to doubt them. You have to be the support your child needs to help them reach their dreams and succeed in life. Don’t ever stop believing in them; because when they follow their dreams, they will reward you by fulfilling yours too!

 

10) Help Them Find Their Passion

This can be tricky, especially if your child is under 12. However, if you're lucky enough to have a 7- or 8-year-old, talk about how important it is for them to try different things in life. And that's what we want them to do—try new activities and challenge themselves in different ways! If they find something they love, great; that's the best gift you can give any kid. But if not, don't force it on them because there are many other options out there. Plus, some skills are more valuable than others when it comes to developing into a successful adult! So let them explore—they'll come back to you with their passions soon enough.