There's an epidemic in our culture. Have you heard of the 'fear of failure flu?'

Early symptoms include sweaty palms and a knot in the stomach. Those in the middles stages of the 'disease' have an intense focus on 'resume building' -- children's activities are no longer for fun but become accomplishments that will somehow separate some important future application from the rest of the pack. A form of paralysis (that keeps kids from trying new things at which they might not instantnly excel) is a symptom only visible in the later stages of the disease.

Parents who want to teach kids to value effort for its own sake start with themselves. They start with their own fears. Everyone fails from time to time; when we don't it's often because we're not stretching far enough!

To vaccinate your kids agains the 'fear of failure flu' a careful self examination may be in order. After all,

For example, if you're too hard on yourself when you 'come up short' do you hide that fact from your children? Could you, instead, share the fact that you -- and they -- are human beings with a lot to learn and there will always be times in life when we fail at something we care about? There is strength in learning to view setbacks as learning.

Which outlook is supported by the environment that your kids are in?

Andrea Patten, LADC is the co-author of What Kids Need to Succeed: Four Foundations of Adult Achievement now available on Amazon.com

For more information about the Four Foundations, or to book Andrea to speak to your group, please visit http://www.whatkidsneedtosucceed.com

• 3 Simple Steps In Searching For A Baby Name


• Potty Training Doll - How Do You Use A Potty Training Doll To Potty Train You Child?


• Potty Training Dolls - Why Use a Potty Training Doll to Assist in Potty Training Your Child?


• Potty Training in One Day - Can You Really Potty Train in a Day? What Does It Mean?


• Potty Training Resistance - Is Your Child Resisting Your Potty Training Efforts?


• Potty Training Readiness Signals - Is Your Child Ready To Be Potty Trained?


• Potty Training Boys - How To Potty Train Boys - Do You Teach Them to Sit or Stand?


• Moses Baby Baskets


• Under Carpet Heating In The Nursery – To Help Your Baby Sleep Through The Night And More!


• Aromatherapy For Babies


• Baby Shower Gifts


• White Noise for Baby Stops Colic Crying Fast


• 14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux


• Is It Colic, Infant Reflux, Or GERD? Learn How To Tell The Difference


• Baby Shower Games to Make Your Baby Shower Exciting