Phrases that Parents Use in Raising Successful Kids

Based in Kansas, Michael D. Schoenfeldt has a logistics, transportation, and supply chain management background. A dedicated family man, Michael D. Schoenfeldt has various roles — father, husband, brother, and son. He values the quality time he spends with loved ones.

A CNBC article focused on the techniques of communicating with kids that encourage life success. The article spoke with 70 parents who raised children who turned into highly successful adults, and the author found specific phrases that particularly resonated.

One effective phrase was, “I can’t do everything for you.” This “tough love” statement conveys trust and sets expectations while allowing for natural consequences to follow. For example, a kid who fails an exam would be encouraged to take this as an opportunity for self-motivated reflection and learning.

Another potent phrase was, “What’s the best — and the worst thing — that happened today?” The phrase reflects the importance of sitting down and discussing daily events in a safe environment. The action fosters a sense of togetherness but allows incidents and challenges to be verbalized and worked out before they snowball and become even more significant issues. Other phrases selected for mention include “Do your best and be kind,” and the foundational “I love you.”