How does a parent raise smart, confident and successful children? What does it matter? What do you think doesn't? These are questions that I never thought to ask of my children.
I would have liked to have read stories about how entrepreneurs had grown up, not just Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.
Entrepreneurs are more than just for profit businesses, they are hard-working people who come up with ideas and turn them to reality.
I interviewed 70 parents who raised successful adults while researching and writing my book. They have four hard parenting rules that make them stand out.
Two sisters, Susan and Anne, are extremely accomplished. Susan became the CEO of the company. Anne co- founded 23andMe.
Esther told me that her girls grew up knowing she trusted them to act in a responsible way.
The girls had the freedom that some parents wouldn't approve of. Esther said she gave her children the chance to be independent early on. I put my children to work because I didn't have enough help after four years.
Her kids were fond of that feeling of freedom. She thinks it gave them a lot of confidence. My mother lived in L.A., and I would take my five-year-old daughter on a plane to visit her in L.A.
Esther gave her daughters things to do around the house to make them responsible and to develop their confidence, even if you are afraid to give your kids the kind of freedom she gave them.
Children who are shown how to help others who are struggling, whether across the world or across the kitchen table, get a head start on developing a compassionate outlook.
Scott Harrison founded charity: water to give people sustainable access to clean water by restoring and maintaining wells. In 15 years, charity: water has funded 60,000 projects and brought clean water to 12 million people.
I was told by Scott's mom that she credits his success to the parenting foundation she set early on, built on disciplined and hard work.
She helped him sort through his clothes, books and toys when he was in elementary and middle school and gave some away to kids who needed them.
Kids can ask entrepreneurial questions if they are aware of others problems. I don't know how to make them better.
Detroit Blows is a hair and beauty service. The two of us met 10 years ago when she was working at the company.
When I asked her how she got the courage to leave her job and start her own business, she said it was because she learned from her failures.
My mother was a trial lawyer. Sometimes she lost and other times she won. My dad would ask me what I failed at. He asked me when I was a kid, when I was in college, and when I started working.
Many parents attempt to save their children from failure. They wanted to make sure that it was ok to fail. They were excited to watch the process unfold when I was a child. She said that her father taught her that in her wounds lie her gifts.
Kids don't have time to discover their path. It can be difficult to know where they're going. Some parents may think their children are lost. Parents of children who grow up to become entrepreneurs are more likely to see their children as explorers.
If you want to raise an entrepreneur, you need to follow your child wherever he or she goes.
According to Kenneth Ginsburg, getting out of the way is a challenge. Fix and guide kids is what we want to do. We have to remind ourselves that when we allow them to figure things out for themselves, we communicate that they are competent and wise.
Look at what your kids want, what they are good at, and what makes them happy. Allow their gift to be revealed. Support it first. You should tell them how proud you are of them. You have to keep telling them until you are sure they believe it.
If they can pursue their passion, they will be happy and fulfilled even if they don't end up with a career. That is what all parents want for their children.
She is a mom and parenting expert. She spent 20 years in government, including as an FTC Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the President's Council of Economic Advisers. You can follow her on the social media platform.
Don't miss anything.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
