What is the role of parents in Be smart, confident and successful child? What is important? What’s missing? I’m the mother of two happy and ambitious entrepreneurial sons, but these are questions I didn’t intend to ask.
In retrospect, I wanted to read a story about how entrepreneurs grew up, but that’s not all. Bill Gates When Steve JobsBut the people we could actually identify.
In my view, entrepreneurs aren’t the only founders of for-profit businesses. They are resilient, diligent, start something, come up with ideas, realize them, and turn their passions into projects.
When I was studying and writing my book “Raising an entrepreneur” We interviewed 70 parents who raised very successful adults. The four strict parenting rules that distinguish these from most others are:
1. Give children extreme independence
Susan and Anne Wojcick Two incredibly skilled sisters. Susan, Google’s first marketing manager, became CEO in 2014. Ann co-founded. 23andMeGenomics and biotechnology companies.
When I talked to their mom EstherIt was clear that her girl had grown up, knowing that she trusted her to act responsibly.
The girls were given the freedom to ridicule some parents, especially today. “Me “It gave the kids a very early and very self-reliant opportunity. I had three kids in four years and I couldn’t help, so I had to work them,” Esther said. ..
Her children loved that sense of freedom. “I think it gave them a lot of confidence,” she said. “My mother lives in Los Angeles and I took my 5-year-old daughter on a plane. [alone] — Put a name tag around your neck — Visit your grandmother in Los Angeles
Even though she is afraid to give her children the freedom that Esther gave her daughters, she says, “To contribute to the family around the house, such as doing household chores, taking responsibility, and building confidence. You can give that to your children. “
2. Actively foster compassion
Children who show them how their parents feel to help others who are struggling, whether at the world or at the kitchen table, are beneficial in building a compassionate outlook. Get off to a start.
Scott Harrison is the founder of Charity waterA non-profit organization that restores and maintains wells to provide people with sustainable access to clean water. Charity: Water has funded 60,000 projects in 29 developing countries, brought clean water to 12 million people, and raised about $ 500 million for that purpose in just 15 years.
Before Scott’s mom Joan died, she told me she acknowledged his success in the parenting foundation she had set up early on, built on a spiritual community, disciplined and hard-working efforts. Told.
When he was in elementary and junior high school, she would help him organize his clothes, books and toys, and they would give some to the children who could use them.
Early awareness of other people’s problems will help children start asking entrepreneurial questions. “Do things really have to be like this?” “How can I make them better?”
3. Welcome failures early and often
Co-founded by Nia Batts Detroit blow, Comprehensive and non-toxic hair & beauty service. I met Nia about 10 years ago when she was working at Viacom.
When I asked him how he had the courage to quit his safe job and start from scratch, he said he learned the benefits of failing when he was young.
“My mother was a lawyer in court. Most of the time she won, but sometimes she lost,” Nia said. “I remember my dad often asking me,” What did you fail today? ” He asked me when I was young, and he had me go in and out of school; he asked me when I was in college; and he when I started working Asked me more often. “
I have seen so many parents trying to save their children from failure. However, Nia’s parents wanted to make sure they created an environment that was safe to fail. “I think they were excited to see the process unfold when I grew up and learned that lesson. My dad had your gift on your wounds and on your failure. Told me that I have the opportunity, “she said.
4. Let go of control and lead as follows
Children need time to find their way. Many periods of experience where it is not clear where they are going. In this situation, some parents may consider their child to be lost. However, parents of children who grow up to become entrepreneurs are more likely to consider their child to be exploring.
The difficult parts for many parents are: If you want to raise an entrepreneur, you need to follow and lead wherever your child wants to go.
Kenneth GinsbergAuthor of “Building Resilience for Children and Teens” “It’s hard to get out of the way. We want to help, fix and guide our children, but when we make them understand things ourselves, we tell them this. Remember, you are competent and wise. “”
In other words, see what your kids want, what their passion is, what they are good at, and what makes them happy. Please allow their gifts to be revealed. Then support it. Tell them how proud you are that you have succeeded on the path they have chosen. And talk to them over and over again until you’re sure they believe it.
They may not end in the career you were thinking of, but if they can pursue their passion, they will be happy and fulfilling. And isn’t that what every parent wants their children to do?
Margot McCall Bisnow A writer, mother, and parenting expert. She spent 20 years in government, including the FTC Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the Council of Economic Advisers. “Grow entrepreneurs: how to help your child achieve their dreams.” Follow her on Instagram @margotbisnow..
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