[center]6 things parents should stop doing if they want to raise business-savvy kids[/center]

My generation, Generation X, was widely believed to be the first in U.S. history to not do as well as our parents’ generation had.

There were many reasons for this, but the primary one was the speculation that everything “good” that could be invented had already been invented. How could we possibly do any better?

Then came the Internet.

The World Wide Web, along with the ten "flatteners" that Thomas Friedman laid out in "The World is Flat," opened and brought together global markets, ushering in an exciting new era of innovation and entrepreneurship. The result? One could argue that we and the generation after us are doing just fine.

But what about the generation after that? The future business leaders who have yet to hit puberty or even start walking? If we are to raise the next group of leaders and entrepreneurs -- or at least adults with the skills to succeed -- I believe we must look closely at how we instill the traits necessary to survive and thrive in the new global business environment.

Parents must step up. Here are six things they need to do -- or not do -- to ensure we raise the next generation of business leaders properly.

1. Stop hovering.

Helicopter parents are everywhere. It's gotten to the point that children on leashes is a sight I see more often than I care to admit. I even see the implications of "hovering" around my own kids, in the evil eyes and subtle gasps I get as I let my daughter climb a jungle gym with no harness, helmet or safety rope.

The problem with hovering parents, however, is that with no space, children never learn to embrace and appreciate independence, a vital variable in building and developing confidence at an early age.

So, give your children some space. Allow them to fall and scrape their knees once in a while. Just remember that they will inevitably fall and get "scraped up" (figuratively speaking) someday, so it is far better to be around when they do than when they venture out and experience failure for the first time alone.

2. Stop defaulting to electronics.

OK, I get it. Sometimes the utter joy of silence after answering to "Mommy, Mommy" or "Daddy, Daddy" for the hundredth time can be an incredible incentive for putting your kids in front of a tablet or the television. But television and many children’s apps are stifling our children's imagination. Today, we get toys with prepackaged characters and television shows that provide everything from the character’s voice to any number of plots.

Gone are the days when children had to rely on their imaginations as they played.

While some screen time on television, electronics or games, can be useful -- assuming the right programs/apps are provided and consumed in moderation -- time with physical toys that encourage imaginative play, build creative skills and require critical thinking is important for children. Simple toys like building blocks, coloring books, play sets and even just household items can go a long way in this regard.

It is amazing what you can do with an oversized cardboard box and a fresh set of markers.

While parents play an important role in moderating play, they should allow and encourage their children to engage in unstructured free playas often as possible.

3. Stop giving ribbons for everything.

My daughter brings home a ribbon every day after gymnastics class -- even though she still hasn’t mastered the forward straddle roll. Of course, I understand why: She is 4 years old, and her teachers are trying to instill confidence and a sense of achievement.

The problem is that when she finally reaches that point in her life when she is not rewarded for doing exactly what is expected of her, she might lose the confidence we as a society spent so much time and so many ribbons trying to build.

In the end, ribbons are the lazy way of dealing with the issue of losing.

We need to understand that for many people motivation is based on a drive to be the best. Take out "the best" from the equation, and motivation is lost. Granted, I understand that a win-lose environment may hurt more people than it helps, but I would argue that when only a few people are allowed to win, we either learn to deal with the disappointment or we strive to get better. If we want to raise well-rounded kids, parents need to instill the latter goal.

4. Stop saying "no" to everything.

I love going to the homes of new parents, with their pristine floors, wine racks at ground level and clean white couches. Inevitably I am told that the house is safe because their children "aren't going to be like other kids."

That may be true, but in fact children need to be like other kids. They need to explore and engage their imagination, follow adventurous insights and dabble in new interests and hobbies. Often, these activities come in the form of permanent markers on a clean wall, a new toy in the bathtub or a spilled bag of flour in the living room. Our children need the creativity and critical thinking that these valuable experiences and lessons encourage at a young age and ultimately translate into valuable adult skills.

5. Stop teaching that failure is bad.

We strive for our children to be the best. Achieving high marks in school, earning first place in a club sport or winning at a science fair are all important and admirable goals. More important, however, is how we teach our children to fail, because they will fail at some point. And, as most business leaders will tell you, failure is common and indeed necessary on the road to success.

In times of failure, it is parents' responsibility to pick up our kids, dust them off and turn those failures into teachable moments. We need to instill in them the ability to see lessons through these failures, mistakes and errors. We need to promote risk-taking and allow our kids to take chances, fail and move on.

Instead of teaching our children to always strive for perfection, we should encourage them to strive for improvement.

6. Stop blaming everyone else for your children's shortcomings.

Finally, we should stop looking at our children as perfect little bundles of DNA. Children are by default illiterate, uncoordinated and generally ignorant; and while that may sometimes make them insufferable, it is our responsibility as parents to deal with it.

Instead of blaming society, culture, media, teachers, doctors or the weather for when our children misbehave or underperform, stop for a second and consider the level of responsibility you have as a parent. Remember, parents are the number one influence on a child's development, so before you blame someone else for an imperfect child, consider making changes at home.

Culled from Business Insider


http://newsscrollngr.com/index.php/6-things-parents-should-stop-doing-if-they-want-to-raise-business-savvy-kids

Very nice....I'd love to raise financially independent kids too.

Hi family peeps,

I think it is a great article especially points....

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Brandnew2:
Very nice....I'd love to raise financially independent kids too.

FTC ,

Welcome to the thread

Thanks

Thank you very much for this Bukatyne. They are well digested.

That ribbon one got me laughing. My cutie keeps coming home almost everyday with stickers from school with things like "I am a star" and so many other things written on it. I sometimes feel it's a bit too much but hey I am not a child psychologist.

The failure one is so true. In addition to my job, I run a business that is growing and I tried many businesses before finding one that is great. The most important thing I learnt is never to trust anybody to do your business for you. The best business is the one you have full control over.

babygirlfl:
Thank you very much for this Bukatyne. They are well digested.

That ribbon one got me laughing. My cutie keeps coming home almost everyday from school with things like "I am a star" and so many other things written on it. I sometimes feel it's a bit too much but hey I am not a child psychologist.

The failure one is so true. In addition to my job, I run a business that is growing and I tried many businesses before finding one that is great. The most important thing I learnt is never to trust anybody to do your business for you. The best business is the one you have full control over.

You are welcome dear

@ too much 'ribbons'; me thinks it is easier than training them to do the right thing. That's why we have to play our part in-house

Lols @ the business stuff.

bukatyne:


FTC ,

Welcome to the thread

Thanks

Not so fast dear...Lalasticlala has to put it on the front page first, then we can celebrate.

Brandnew2:

Not so fast dear...Lalasticlala has to put it on the front page first, then we can celebrate.

LOLs!

I thought FTC is first to comment and has nothing to do with front page.

bukatyne:


LOLs!

I thought FTC is first to comment and has nothing to do with front page.

Yes it is, but we only celebrate that when it's on front page.

Perfect thread. "Educated and civilised" parents are most guilty of helicopter parenting. I'm usually sympathetic to kids who don't explore their environments. You can tell they have been well-trained to be followers, not leaders and innovators.

Brandnew2:

Yes it is, but we only celebrate that when it's on front page.

Okay o!

Na to ready the table be that

Timbuktou:
Perfect thread. "Educated and civilised" parents are moat guilty of helicopter parenting. I'm usually sympathetic to kids who don't explore their environments. You can tell they have been well-trained to be followers, not leaders and innovators.

Very true.

Sometimes the more you know, the more burdensome it becomes.

Welcome to the thread

Kachisbarbie:
I concur.
The labour market is even becoming stiff, we need kids that have a side hustle, something different from writing dragnet/workforce test.
Kids should be allowed to explore their environment, take decisions and necessary actions _ have a vocation/skill.

Mid-term breaks and semester hols isn't for playing PS4.

Very true

Welcome to the thread.

Very valid points..

**note to self to amend my ways on some of the points.

damiso:
Very valid points..

**note to self to amend my ways on some of the points.

Welcome to the thread

I am glad the thread was of help.

bukatyne:


Welcome to the thread

I am glad the thread was of help.

you make me laugh with this your 'welcome to the thread' you do on your threads LOOL

oya I just don't want welcome I want drinks and food too LOL

Couldnt agree more especially with 3&5. Giving ribbons for everything makes the child feel entitled to everything instead of working hard for it. Now we have a generation of kids who cant take failure and blame everyone but themselves for it

damiso:


you make me laugh with this your 'welcome to the thread' you do on your threads LOOL

oya I just don't want welcome I want drinks and food too LOL

That's just my style though sometimes I forget or the thread spirals downwards

As per your request, see attached. I am very mindful of your food

kelechiMarie:
Couldnt agree more especially with 3&5. Giving ribbons for everything makes the child feel entitled to everything instead of working hard for it. Now we have a generation of kids who cant take failure and blame everyone but themselves for it

True

Welcome to the thread

bukatyne:


That's just my style though sometimes I forget or the thread spirals downwards

As per your request, see attached. I am very mindful of your food

You are a good hostess..thank you for the refreshments

bukatyne:


True

Welcome to the thread

tanchu much much

kelechiMarie:
Couldnt agree more especially with 3&5. Giving ribbons for everything makes the child feel entitled to everything instead of working hard for it. Now we have a generation of kids who cant take failure and blame everyone but themselves for it

On the issue of teaching kids to handle failure poorly, I hear some schools have a policy of not declaring that a child answered a question wrong, they say it's the correct answer to another question.

And in kids' competitions banter and gloating by winners is being done away with. This generation is being done a disservice with all these funky feel-good softness.

kelechiMarie:
Couldnt agree more especially with 3&5. Giving ribbons for everything makes the child feel entitled to everything instead of working hard for it. Now we have a generation of kids who cant take failure and blame everyone but themselves for it

Very true.. someone heard me tell my daughter 'life is not fair' when she retorted with 'that's not fair' ( God knows where she learnt that word )when I said she could not have something and they said 'she is too young naa haba' . She was like 4 at the time she is 6 now. I said 'Nope children need to learn you cant always have everything YOU want without 1) working hard and 2) sometimes having to make sacrifices

Just this morning I have decided no more asking ' what do you want for breakfast' you eat what I place in front of you shikena. They (my daughter especially) are beginning to take that privilege for granted.

Nothing scares more me than raising a self absorbed and entitled brat.

Its learning that balance on when to use the carrot and/or the stick.

And in hindsight, failing at things does teach a person resilience and that is a skill you need when facing life.

I know how having 2 'carry over' courses in my second year of university probably made me realise that University was actually not just for parties and dressing up LOL.

Timbuktou:


On the issue of teaching kids to handle failure poorly, I hear some schools have a policy of not declaring that a child answered a question wrong, they say it's the correct answer to another question.

And in kids' competitions banter and gloating by winners is being done away with. This generation is being done a disservice with all these funky feel-good softness.

you're kidding right what will those kids do when they get to the reealll world. How will they survive?

damiso:


Very true.. someone heard me tell my daughter 'life is not fair' when she retorted with 'that's not fair' ( God knows where she learnt that word )when I said she could not have something and they said 'she is too young naa haba' . She was like 4 at the time she is 6 now. I said 'Nope children need to learn you cant always have everything YOU want without 1) working hard and 2) sometimes having to make sacrifices

Just this morning I have decided no more asking ' what do you want for breakfast' you eat what I place in front of you shikena. They (my daughter especially) are beginning to take that privilege for granted.

Nothing scares more me than raising a self absorbed and entitled brat.

Its learning that balance on when to use the carrot and/or the stick.

And in hindsight, failing at things does teach a person resilience and that is a skill you need when facing life.

I know how having 2 'carry over' courses in my second year of university probably made me realise that University was actually not just for parties and dressing up LOL.

my parents didnt remove problems rather they taught me to face it. Now i know life is not fair and if i want smtn i gotta work for it. If i was raised like we raise kids these days,i'd be a spoilt rotten brat

bukatyne:


Very true.

Sometimes the more you know, the more burdensome it becomes.

Welcome to the thread

Of course, very true. I never lie.

Well, it really is a symptom of poor education. Wisdom/understanding is the ultimate aim of education, not just mindless memorization. Everybody wants their kids to be the next Einstein but they keep going about it the wrong way. Einstein himself was a serial failer and underperformer but he became a genius by understanding the world, and you cannot understand the world if you do not explore it and ask questions which today's parents are too busy and irritated to answer she their kids ask.

Then when the kids do poorly in class, they try to improve their grades by burdening them with even more after-school lessons, breeding more zombies.

kelechiMarie:
my parents didnt remove problems rather they taught me to face it. Now i know life is not fair and if i want smtn i gotta work for it. If i was raised like we raise kids these days,i'd be a spoilt rotten brat

my dad especially hated the word or sentence 'impossible' its not possible'.

He would say ' how can something that does not have hands or a mouth be smarter than you ,figure it out'.

And you know ,what figure it out you would.

kelechiMarie:
you're kidding right what will those kids do when they get to the reealll world. How will they survive?

The point is they cannot handle the world when they leave the nest. They find everything and everyone offensive, no sense of humour, and Lord knows you need to have a sense of humour to survive in this world.

Timbuktou:


Of course, very true. I never lie.

Well, it really is a symptom of poor education. Wisdom/understanding is the ultimate aim of education, not just mindless memorization. Everybody wants their kids to be the next Einstein but they keep going about it the wrong way. Einstein himself was a serial failer and underperformer but he became a genius by understanding the world, and you cannot understand the world if you do not explore it and ask questions which today's parents are too busy and irritated to answer she their kids ask.

Then when the kids do poorly in class, they try to improve their grades by burdening them with even more after-school lessons, breeding more zombies.

You are right and as a student I mostly always excelled at subject matters I understood.

I think the issue and dilemma most parents face is that most educational system says you 'know and understand' by passing exams and acquiring more and more qualifications. And the way to pass those 'exams' is to know more and more which is why they enrol them in more 'learning'. I am guilty and I know how I used to snicker at my daughter's school Early learning style of 'learning through play'.

I saw a topic on another forum that said children of ethnic origin in the UK are twice as likely to have extra/private tuition on top of their normal school learning. I don't know if that is such a bad thing as they probably see it as way to help them do better than their peers.

We certainly need to spend as much time encouraging our children to explore the world around them.

double post

damiso:


You are right and as a student I mostly always excelled at subject matters I understood.

I think the issue and dilemma most parents face is that most educational system says you 'know and understand' by passing exams and acquiring more and more qualifications. And the way to pass those 'exams' is to know more and more which is why they enrol them in more 'learning'. I am guilty and I know how I used to snicker at my daughter's school Early learning style of 'learning through play'.

I saw a topic on another forum that said children of ethnic origin in the UK are twice as likely to have extra/private tuition on top of their normal school learning. I don't know if that is such a bad thing as they probably see it as way to help them do better than their peers.

We certainly need to spend as much time encouraging our children to explore the world around them.

And that's the point. The understanding. That's how to raise academically and socially sound kids, help them learn how to think and relate school work, which seems mostly abstract, with real life.

Of course, one can't understand without knowledge and they are right in that regard, also that kids learn through play. In fact, I'd say kids learn faster through play than in class, for male children at least. Cast your mind back to when we were younger than 5years old; we had mummy-and-daddy , and the girls used to cook grass, weeds and sand in tomato and milk tins. All na learning.

In my opinion, the extra lessons aren't a bad idea if the child is academically inclined and has one of those crazy photographic brains or if their basic education is clearly insufficient/faulty. Other kids should be studied and their strengths built upon. And the funny thing with most geniuses is they don't do well in schoolwork because their brains are faster and more advanced than what they're being taught in class. They are being dulled . Going back to Einstein, he was a woeful school student, but he had a crazy imagination.

Indeed, we do. I encourage my son to ask me questions by answering his questions as best as I can. The guy does ask the most unanswerable questions, though.