Tips and techniques for rearing successful children all focus on the parent's relationship with the child. The fact that the parent-child relationship has a major influence on the achievement of children may not be surprising to some, but may be a wake-up call to others.

Evidence suggests that parenting and families have a major influence on achievement in school and through out a child's life. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.

These facts apply equally to children with learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other handicapping conditions. If a child has the support and acceptance of his parents he is better able to overcome any obstacle. Just let him know that he doesn't have to always win, his best effort is what wins your approval.

Then you have to be involved enough to learn what that best effort is so that your reward motivates him to keep making it.

You are Your Child's Greatest Asset

Studies have found that parents actively involved in rearing successful children, no matter what their income or background, produce students who are more likely to:

• earn high grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs;
• pass their classes, earn credits, and be promoted;
• attend school regularly; and
• graduate and go on to postsecondary education.

So, with all the information in, it seems that parents are the greatest asset a child has. In early civilization the family had complete responsibility for the child’s survival, and the development of skills needed to stay alive when he could no longer depend upon his parents.

When it comes to rearing successful children, not much has changed except that the society now provides for the child’s education. That means teaching him reading, writing and arithmetic.

Building his character, protecting his health, and teaching him that he is worthwhile are still the responsibility of the parents. Schools are not designed to do this. The schools teach the child that comes to them. They are not designed to modify or build character, or instill the desire to learn.

How Working Parents Rear Succesful Children

All the relationship building required for rearing successful children can be overwhelming to a parent who works two jobs to feed their kids and keep a roof over their heads, but it still has to be done, so here are some tips and techniques that have proven successful:

• Insist upon preparing and sharing at least one meal as a family (teenagers have to be home for dinner) use this time to talk about school, and how to solve social problems at school. This is not a time for scolding, correcting and handing out punishment. Your child should be able to tell you anything without fear of consequences.

  Meal time should become a time of listening and sharing with acceptance. If your child tells you something that "curls your toenails," just bite your tongue, swallow hard--twice, and talk about it later in private after you have pulled yourself together enough to be rational. Then talk with him about how to handle similar situations.

  Learn to listen when your children are talking. You will learn a lot more if your children are not afraid to tell you what really happened on the way to school, at school, or on the way home.

• Interact with each other instead of just watching TV. If you have limited time to interact with the children play a board game when you do have time, or let them teach you a game.
• Taking out the trash, seeing that little brothers and sisters are safely home from school, and tidying the house are all chores that contribute to the family’s survival. Give the kids lots of opportunity to participate in family survival and give them lots of praise and words of appreciation for their contribution.

This is called bonding, and building a sense of belonging to a family. Children who belong to a family do not need a gang as a place to belong, and are less likely to join one. If you can’t fit it all in, just giving them a hug, treating them with respect and letting them know that you love them will work temporarily while you find time to do the rest.

And when you need time off from work to attend a meeting at school, try telling your boss that the Federal government says "I have to attend. My child’s future depends upon it." Let the boss know that you are actively involved in rearing successful children,and he will support your efforts. Offer to make up the time by working later or taking work home. The schools cannot get along without you, and you are the cornerstone of your children's success.

And, while coaches, counselors, and mentors may try, parents have the greatest potential for rearing successful children. If you are a parent receptive to positive parenting, the basic child rearing tips, and techniques at www.positive-parenting-ally.com are highly recommended.

Leave Rearing Successful Children go to Indoor Air Pollution.