Uncommon habits of Super performing parents Part-2

Nurturing successful children is not just about hard work and destiny but a consistent implementation of some solid uncommon habits built into the everyday environment when children are growing up as family culture. In part 2 of this series, below are uncommon but exceptionally effective habits that the top 0.1% of the parents of highly successful children seem to have done and keep doing.

1. Be the child's biggest cheerleader

Confident kids take more initiative, create larger social connections and get more opportunities naturally as a result. But raising confident kids starts at home with us as parents being their biggest cheerleaders to encourage them and even get over mistakes more positively. 

Focusing and appreciating more of their strengths and goodness rather than the weakness, helps them believe in themselves and builds their confidence. Great cheerleading parents use superlative words ...like this is unbelievable, you got it, their such an interesting perspective and a super dramatic tone to express.

2. Take them on adventure trips

An adventure trip is an extraordinary recipe for pushing children’s limits, facing uncertainty, navigating new challenges, accommodating in all situations, working as a team to plan and get things done. It basically puts them out of their comfort zone and helps build real-time problem-solving skills (creating a bonfire) like no other. 

Elon Musk's mother credits the adventure trips as a very important aspect of his childhood nurturing. Most importantly, it can set the family culture of being a solution creator and risk taker and strengthens bonds with fun memories worth remembering for a lifetime. It's time to rethink and cut off those typical resort holidays with kids.

3. Ask reflective and open-ended questions

The most successful people are self-aware of their strengths, styles (SWOT) and vice versa and reflect on their actions and behavior. The seeds to self-reflection begin as children when parents instead immediately tell an answer, ask children open ended questions. Eg: Is this looking good (child dress up) on me? Parent: What do you think? How do you feel about wearing it?

Importantly, parents also ask and share their own self-reflection? E.g. What do you think makes you unique in any way from your classmates? When everyone shares, it builds a healthy and fun atmosphere rather than an interrogation process. Parents of successful children \prepare their children to ask deep questions to themselves and others and curate meaningful conversations.

4. Let children set their own goals and expectations

The best way to make children self-accountable, stay motivated and achieve results without having to push, nag and create friction is letting children set their own goals and process. E.g. Instead of telling them that you should score at 95%, why not ask them what's the very best score you would like to have?

Once they have voiced it, guide them to what it requires to prepare but let them make their own planner at their own will and pace and believe in them as a cheerleader. When children get a feeling of "choice and voice" for themselves to decide, they are 98% more motivated to achieve them.

5. They have a super bonding song/ memory/ story

We are all emotional creatures taking decisions based on our heart and beliefs. These little inner voices that guide, trigger, nudge or inspire us in critical moments of life are formed deep inside in our childhood experiences.

Experiences of singing crazily singing a common song, a common inspiring or touching memory or story. Unknowingly these become the inner voice that guides our moral and decision-making compass in the BIG life defining moments.

Are you motivated to try implementing these habits in your parenting? Part 3 in the next article. Share your moments and tag Pranjal_Gundesha on Instagram for a shout out and more such insights.