9 characteristics of a successful parent

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If you want your child to be successful, make sure you have these characteristics of a successful parent.

Nine characteristics of a successful parent

Every parent hopes to raise successful kids. While there really is no set formula on how you can ensure that your little ones grow up to become movers and shakers in the world, there are things that you can do to prepare them for greatness.

Want to know if you are on the right track? Here are nine characteristics that parents of successful kids have in common.

1. They set higher expectations

Parents of successful children set high expectations for their little ones from the start. Long-term goals set by these parents for their kids actually played a part in predicting success throughout their schooling years.

If, as early as kindergarten, parents could foresee their children going to college, there is a big chance that these children will live up to their parents' expectations. This is according to a recently conducted University of California study.

2. They belong to a higher socioeconomic status

Children who are born to families belonging to a higher socioeconomic status are often able to afford higher education and become exposed to more opportunities, as compared to those coming from less fortunate families. These, added up, contribute to a child’s success in the future.

One United States study analyzed SAT scores in comparison to the average household income of the student’s family. The data, in fact, showed that scores went higher as the parents' income increased.

3. They are educated

The life decisions that parents make influence the choices that their children make, at least where higher education is concerned. It has been found that children of mothers and fathers who went to college are more likely to pursue a college education as well.

The reason behind this could be that kids of college-graduate parents are more encouraged to choose the same path as their parents.

4. They help their kids gain early academic skills

Learning begins at home, and parents who make the effort to teach early academic skills to their kids are actually helping them succeed in life. Math skills, in particular, are best learned early.

Having a basic knowledge of math concepts such as numbers and number order gives kids an edge even as they are just beginning school. Also important is teaching your kids how to read early on. These help ensure academic success in the future.

5. They are sensitive to the needs of their children

Being sensitive to your children’s needs not only benefits them emotionally, but also academically, as studies show. This sensitive caregiving means that a parent responds swiftly to signals and cues from a child, and also engages in positive interactions with him.

The results of a 2014 study regarding this even showed that individuals who received sensitive caregiving early in life continued to succeed academically well into their 30’s. The attention given by their parents surely paid off.

6. They encourage communication

Self-awareness is a key factor in being self-motivated and driven to succeed. One way to teach a child to be self-aware is to encourage him to communicate and express his feelings. Repressing negative feelings affects a person negatively. For example, unexpressed anger could easily lead to feelings of rage.

Parents of successful children teach them to share their emotions, both good and bad, rather than suppress them. An environment of open communication and freedom of expression helps them succeed later on in life.

7. They spend their time with the kids wisely

When it comes to spending time with your kids, it is quality that matters over quantity. Parents of successful children did not necessarily spend the most number of hours with their little ones. Rather, they spent their time wisely with their children, engaging in meaningful activities.

These parents are also aware of the kind of feelings and attitudes they project when with their children. A parent who is stressed out can easily transfer that stress to a child, so it is important to keep your emotions in check when together.

8. They teach their kids to have a growth mindset

Having a growth mindset means taking on challenges, and even thriving when placed in challenging situations. It means not seeing failure as indicative of a lack of intelligence, but instead a springboard for potential success.

An example of a child with a growth mindset is one who chooses to do a complicated puzzle, knowing that completing it will be rewarding. Someone with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, would choose a simple puzzle, which gives him a greater chance of succeeding.

Parents who teach kids to adapt a growth mindset gear them up for success. So, instead of telling your child that he is intelligent, commend him for his hard work and encourage him to take the challenge one step higher.

9. They are good role models

Ultimately, a child is influenced by what he sees his parents doing. Parents who are good role models, are hardworking and persevering are more likely to raise successful kids. As they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Show your children that you are self-assured, ambitious, and that you practice what you preach. Make sure that the examples that you set for them can lead them towards success.

Nine characteristics of a successful parent

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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