Parents should celebrate a child's success, refrain from living vicariously through the child and back off when a cherished parental talent fails to show in the second generation. Good parents help a child become civilized and self-actualized. Parent should provide an environment that encourages good behavior, academic achievement, personal responsibility and the opportunity to fulfill inborn potential. Good parents recognize that each child is unique psychologically. Children must, and will, follow their own, sometimes surprisingly different, paths.
Parents have limited ability to predict their child's development.
Good parents can provide opportunities for growth but there is no way a parent can predict the outcome. Extraordinary parents have turned out average kids and average parents have produced geniuses. Parents have limited ability to control their child's development. Mental illness, cognitive problems or emotional difficulties can derail the best parenting. And, fortunately, a child's natural resilience can overcome poor parenting.