Raise your child to be succesful

I read this blog from my High School classmate Angela. I believe I have to copy and paste it so that other bloggers may read this. Especially those people who wanna be the best moms and best dads (in the future) to their kids. Thanks for sharing this Angela! I'm proud na naging classmate kita!!! hehehe

P.S. Kapag umuwi ka ng Pinas, magpakita ka!!! Proud of yah!!

I’m 23, I have no kids and I am not successful – yet. I know you think I have no authority whatsoever to tell you how to raise your kids. I hope you won’t find my advice too presumptuous – you can take it or leave it. This is just based on how my mom raised us and from my other overachieving Asian-American friends.

I have a lot of high school friends who now have their own kids. In fact, one of my best friends is giving birth later this month. This is for all of you.

For many Asian-Americans, the family is a pivotal force. It provides their main source of strength and support. I hate to repeat a cliché but here goes: It takes a village to raise a child.

Parents need to start when their children are still very young, establish the necessary values that set the stage for future success.

Here’s my advice:

#1
Love your children and praise them often. It boosts their self-confidence.

#2
Teach them good values early. Just simple things like saying “please” and “thank you”, sharing their food and toys, being fair to siblings and playmates, can go a long way.

#3
Instill a love for learning and education.
It’s never too early to start encouraging a love for learning in your child. Read them books before bedtime. Invest in educational toys, books and videos and monitor what they watch on TV. Don’t be like me; I watched a lot of ER and NYPD Blue as a child. :D

Early childhood is the best time to start because young minds have an incredible capacity to absorb information. Encourage them to read widely and explore different genres.

#4
Expose your children to arts & culture early. Take them to see cultural dance presentations, theatrical plays, classical performances, etc.

#5
You are your child’s best role model, so be an example, be enthusiastic about learning. Remember, learning is a lifelong process. Let your kids see you reading – be it the newspaper, a book or a recipe. If you can find the time, read with your kids. Make it a habit.

If you have hobbies and a passion for something, include your children and share it with them. If you love art, take them to the museum with you. Teach them what you know. If you like fishing and camping, share these activities with your kids. Do you remember when you were a kid and convinced that your parents secret superheroes? Believe it or not, your kids think you are the smartest, the best and the coolest.

#6
Treat your kids like adults. Include them in discussions and in decisions. Ask them for their opinion. Encourage them to speak up.

#7
Surround your children with people who love learning and are in diverse fields. This will allow your kids to have a healthy respect for learning while also giving them information about various careers.

#8
Incorporate learning and education into all your kid's activities so that they don't associate learning primarily with school or homework.

My advice to ambitious and loving parents is this: your children will enjoy learning if you show them that learning and education is fun, rewarding, and worth your time.

Teach them that learning is ESSENTIAL. A love of learning is imperative to success in any field.