Parent to Parent: Achievement

Ken Schwartz is very proud of his daughter Tara, and with good reason. The 21-year-old college student has been a high-achiever for most of her life.

In school she was a member of the National Honors Society and always pushed herself to make straight A's.

Tara Schwartz, student
"My parents, they always motivated me to do the best that I can. My mom always told me to tell myself, 'I think I can, I think I can.'"

Tara's dad feels it's important to encourage your children to achieve early on.

Ken Schwartz, dad
"Getting a game plan together and giving the kids a very, very good foundation to grow from."

And parenting experts agree, saying in order to raise successful children, parents must first define what achievement means to them.

Dr. Valerie Goode
"Maybe just finishing high school could be a major achievement in some families; in others, maybe going to Harvard is an achievement."

Dr. Valerie Goode says parents should also help kids create a vision of what they would like to achieve, from being class president to having a lot of friends. Then set short-term goals based on what the child wants to accomplish.

Dr. Valerie Goode
"Based on their dreams, every child has dreams, and it's up to the parent to keep those dreams alive in their child."

She says support your child's interests, even if you don't always agree with them. For example, if they want to be an actor, take them to auditions, but also insist they keep their grades up.

Tara is now looking forward to graduating from college with honors. Her advice to other kids: if you want to do something, go for it.

Tara Schwartz, student
"Always strive to do more than they think they're capable of, never tell themselves that they can't."

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