What's your parenting method and how is it turning out? Are you one of those "good guy parents" that is very loose on rules, or are you one of those "helicopter parents" that is involved in everything the kid says or does?

Neither of them is great to have. A good parent is never on the extreme edge of the scale, as I just showed. But what does make a good parent?

The best way to assure yourself that you have been everything your kid wants *shock* is to be involved in your kid's life during his or her younger years. It's simple, isn't it? You don't have to hover around the kid, but most children love it when their parents take interest in what they do, to a certain point.

But I'm not here to talk about that.

My question to you is: Is your kid doing fairly well academically?

America is showing some of the worst test scores in years, and some of it may actually have to do with the parents. No, I'm not accusing you all of purposely failing your children. It's the way you govern them around the house that could make the large difference,

Studies show that children who grow up with a fairly strict set of parents tend to apply more effort in school. More effort in school means better test scores. Now, there are exceptions, but I'm speaking majority. Each child is capable, and I mean EQUIPPED to get at least a B or better. It has nothing to do with their teachers. They can complain that "Mr. Smith is so confusing" or "Mrs. Jones takes off points for nothing at all", but those are excuses. I bet you that 9 times out of 10 when they get in the C range they either didn't study or they didn't pay attention in class. And this is all out of looking at my peers' grades.

What did I see? The ones that talked during class were the ones consistently getting in the C range. And while some kids are geniuses and others aren't, everyone should be getting B's. Or better.

What's a nice step to take? The parents putting pressure on their kids to do well, and teaching them exactly what the word "consequence" means.