How to Raise an Entrepreneur Child
The world is changing dramatically. Our society is more connected, contentious, and confusing than ever before. For past generations, the path to an upright and comfortable life seemed easy and straightforward. You had to work hard in school, go to college, and get a good job at a company that took care of you and your family for the long time. Of course, this is no longer the case. Parents can no longer assume that if you raise a decent child, he or she will be able to make their way in the world without too much trouble. In order to be successful in today’s very competitive and often chaotic environment, you need intelligence and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Kids have a fresh and unique mindset. When kids are growing up, they do things that they like and have the passion for. Cultivating these values in children from an early age will give them a strong advantage in years to come. Here are a few ways parents can encourage their children to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset: 1. Set the Right Example It is amazing how children pick up the behavior of their elder, I pick up a lot of qualities from my dad when I was younger and I still exhibit some of these characters today. It is important to note that you don’t have to be a startup founder or small business owner to set a good example for your children; after all, entrepreneurship is more than just an occupation, it is more of an attitude. Hard work, creativity, and drive are some of the key elements of the entrepreneurial spirit. Parents looking to instill these values in their children must exhibit them in their actions by seeking creative answers to problems, remaining positive in the face of failure, and being a self-starter. 2. Introduce the Idea of Risk and Reward to the Early When seeking good results from hard work, you must understand the fundamentals of risk and reward. These days’ parents are often tempted to shield children from risk but still, offer up rewards. It is this style of parenting that is responsible and to blame for the sense of entitlement and lack of accountability seen in many young people. Parents must learn to resist the urge to shelter, and be overprotective and instead help their children embrace a sense of realism. Being overprotective and shielding the kids will make it difficult for them to experience reality and these will hinder them from reaching their full potential. Eventually, when they get into the real world and get knocked down, it will be very difficult for them to get back on their feet. Doing this can be very tricky; you will have to be careful and take your time. After all, there is a subtle yet important distinction between entrepreneurial risk and risky behavior. Let the kids make decisions. An entrepreneur’s confident decisions are established in early independence. When kids are toddlers, you might give them a choice [...]