Parent to Parent: Achievement

WSVN -- 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, became the president of the Florida Future Educators of America, all along pushing herself to make straight "As."

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

Seven's Parenting Expert Dr. Valerie Goode says 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 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.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "Always strive to do more than they think they're capable of, never tell themselves that they can't."

Lynn Martinez: "Tara plans to get her master's degree in education and eventually become a teacher, which has been her life-long dream."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Valerie Goode
www.drvaleriegoode.com