How to Raise A Winning Child

[MarieB]

(CNN) -- Authors Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman have made a habit of slaying the sacred cows of parenting in their writing on child development. The pair made headlines two years ago in "NurtureShock" -- their first book together -- in which they criticized the way many parents choose to raise their children.
Bronson and Merryman have just released their newest work, "Top Dog." In two interviews, they shared some thoughts with me on strategies parents should follow to best ensure their offspring are (broadly defined) winners, not losers.
I imagine many parents will find validation in their advice, while others may argue their definition of success is far too narrow. Please use the comment section below to discuss your take. How do you measure your child's success?

How to raise a winning child - CNN.com

The interesting point that stood out for me was not putting them in (nt allowing them in) a competition that they don't have a chance of winning

 

[thurley42]

(CNN) -- Authors Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman have made a habit of slaying the sacred cows of parenting in their writing on child development. The pair made headlines two years ago in "NurtureShock" -- their first book together -- in which they criticized the way many parents choose to raise their children.
Bronson and Merryman have just released their newest work, "Top Dog." In two interviews, they shared some thoughts with me on strategies parents should follow to best ensure their offspring are (broadly defined) winners, not losers.
I imagine many parents will find validation in their advice, while others may argue their definition of success is far too narrow. Please use the comment section below to discuss your take. How do you measure your child's success?

How to raise a winning child - CNN.com

The interesting point that stood out for me was not putting them in (nt allowing them in) a competition that they don't have a chance of winning

That's piss poor...You're basically saying, if you don't think you can win, don't even try...

 

[JeJeTe]

I actually agree with some aspects in the article but not with the point of "winning". More with the point of raising a well rounded child.

 

[MarieB]

That's piss poor...You're basically saying, if you don't think you can win, don't even try...

Which is why I thought it was interesting

But, it isn't saying that you tell your kiddo that. I always thought that you find out what you are good at by experimentation, though I have to say at times I do think about this. If say you "know" your kiddo is not particularly "made for" or "strong" in xxx, do you still encourage their wish to participate in that? Don't we all steer our kids in certain directions from time to time?

 

[Cheeky1]

How about not "measuring" at all?

The only people worrying about being "successful" are parents.

How about living a good life?...or even a great life?
How about allowing your children to experience child-hood?

Living and measuring for "success", I remember it from my childhood, was about the same time all this PC crap began to take hold. Replacing real-life-learning with the theoritical experience of do-only-as-your-are-told.