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It has been observed from the extensive research of past few decades that the kind of environment the child gets, the exposure influences his/ her childhood and the adult life. Every parent tries to give their children best childhood possible but while doing so many may overlook the one essential factor that is the family environment.
So, what are the characteristics of the family environment that drive the optimal growth of kids?
1. Healthy and Constructive conflicts
It is usually observed that emotionally healthy families have conflicts once in a while and is considered normal family behavior. However, the kind of environment where an artificial peace prevails and the conflicts are suppressed is not normal. Kids who witness their parents conflicts on different issues and then see them resolving their difference gets to observe the real life at close range. This is not to say that the kids should be exposed to the kind of environment where the family conflicts happen on daily basis.
A university of Illinois investigation showed that in the families where parents were constantly fighting, their kids were not performing well in the schools and later their adult life was suffering because of that.
2. Mutual respects
Mutual respect plays a vital role in the growth of an emotionally healthy child. In such families, there is no susceptibility for rude behavior, and one's rights are appreciated, and duties are honored. When the children show improper behavior their parents take the action to correct them.
From this type of environment, children get to know about the ways of an adult world, paying and earning respect.
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3. Parents being involved in Kids lives
The parents of successful kids are heavily involved in the lives of their children. This type of parenting is known as helicopter parenting, that involves constant interference in the lives of the children which is not recommended. However keeping a balanced involvement in kids' lives is one way of bringing up the successful kids. Such parents have a good idea about the future of their kids. One more advantage they get is the emotional attachment with their kids as they grow up.
4. Working Parents
Harvard business school researchers have discovered that working mothers influence the lives of their children. They learn to become independent and financially stable. It was partially true in the scenario where the working mothers were struggling to form a balance between work and home. It often had adverse impacts, leading to the less attention to kids and being emotionally disconnected. The environment where the parents shared equal responsibility eventually provided an appropriate environment for emotionally stable and broadminded growth of their children.
5. Opportunities to Learn Social Skills
The reason behind the successful relationships in adult life is the social skill. If the kids are given enough opportunity at a young age they will learn the social skill very early. It could begin by sharing of toys with visiting friends. From the study , it was observed that kids who were helpful to others were able to understand and interpret the feelings; they were also able to form good cooperation with their peers. They were more likely to get a full-time job by the time they reach 25 than those with poor social skills.
6. Sharing Responsibilities
Kids who do theirs chores like cleaning their plates after the meal and making their beds regularly may grow up to be a hard working employee and a responsible citizen. Author of the book 'How To Raise An Adult' said, "By making them do chores-taking out the garbage, doing their own laundry, they realize I have to do work of life in order to be a part of life."
7. Academic Environments
Families who often discuss and read about the major world activities, their children have extensive knowledge about the world than those who do not. One important factor to be considered here is the education level of the parents. It is seen that educated parents tend to make choices for their children and play a crucial role in their children's upbringing. When parents are highly educated their children usually perform well in schools and also try to follow the similar profession. It could be due to the kind of language used in daily interaction and atmosphere at home.
8. Rules and Routines
Keeping a steady routine will significantly decrease the chances of confusion in kids. Successful kids usually follow a well-defined pattern to avoid chaos, which involves specific bed time, sleeping hours, time spent on laptop or TV. Kids who usually follow these rules at home have a higher chance of keeping that kind of routine at school and later in their jobs in adult life. They only get flexible with rules once in a while. Rules may also involve the habit of eating healthy food and avoid junk food to a certain extent.
9. High Expectations
Though it may seem like a burden from the kids perspective but a research shows that more than 6500 students found that parents who expected a lot from their kids often saw them realizing those expectations. Also heaving a high socio-economic status gave parents enough resources to help their kids. Since the economically backward families were also doing well under the right guidance and care, so the socio-economic status could not be the only reason. Therefore, the vision of the parents about the child becomes the key factor here.
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10. Organization and cleanliness
Children are very impressionable about their environment. Families that focus on discipline and neatness are likely to have children who follow the similar trend. From basic etiquette to putting things back to their respective places. Children who have the habit of keeping their closets and drawers in an organized manner very often lead to successful and organized life.
