Parenting "Successful " Kids
I had the pleasure of hearing Anna Quindlen speak recently at a Parents In Actionluncheon. Ms. Quindlen wrote a column in The New York Timescalled "Life in the 30s" for many years, is a columnist at Newsweek and has authored of many fiction and non-fiction books. She writes and speaks about family life and domestic issues with incredible insight, intelligence and wit. She addressed our group of success-oriented New York City parents and talked about the society of perfection that we are creating for our children. She went on to say that this generation of kids might be the first one not to be as "successful" as their parents, if we measure success in the traditional way.
But what does "successful" really mean? Ms. Quindlen went on to discuss what the measuring stick for success has been--pretty much financial. Getting into the "right schools" to get the "right jobs" and make lots of money. Her opinion is that we have the opportunity to raise an outstanding and exemplary group of children into adults who place a different value on success.
As Ms. Quindlen aptly pointed out: ours is the first generation of kids to be raised without gender bias; are race blind and accepting of all lifestyles and family units. They are growing up expecting that the President be African American and the Secretary of State female. They are doing more community service than any other generation and are ditching the eighty hour work week to enjoy more balance between work and family life. They care more about the environment and are doing something about it.
The beliefs and values held by our children are ones that will help make our their generation better than ones past, and will give them the power to change the world as we know it--if we let them measure "success" their way.
This is an original post to nycmomsblog.com
Pamela W. is the author of City Baby: a resource guide to having a baby in New York City. She is also the co-founder of Mind Your Own Business Moms (MYOBMoms.com): a business dedicated to helping moms transition back to the workplace.
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