My Parents' Definition of Success

My parents had a simple definition of success when it came to raising children.  Simply, success was getting children to: 

Adulthood

Be Independent

Be Better Off than Parents

Based on their definition, my parents were extremely successful at raising children.  For my sibling and me, my parents achieved all three.

Adulthood. In my case, I almost didn't reach adulthood.  My appendicitis was misdiagnosed and it rupture, putting me in the hospital for several weeks when I was 17.   Fortunately, I recovered in time and reached my 18th birthday, which was considered adulthood at the time.

Independence. Soon afterwards, I left for college, graduated with an engineering degree, and worked for my first (and only) company.  Since my first full time job, I never asked my parents for any financial support, either in gifts or loans.  The closest I came was asking my parents to be a 50% owner for my first home by paying half of the down payment. However, I paid the full mortgage, taxes and maintenance after that with half the payment being considered rent to my parents.

Better off. I always kept my parents update on my career and salary progress at work.  About ten years after I started working, my dad proudly said to me that he told his colleagues that I was making more than him.  I was surprised because my dad had never told me how much he earned and he had been working 25 years.

I am thankful that my parents had these goals for raising me.  We will strive to do the same for our daughter.

For more on  Crossing Generations, check back every Thursday for a new segment.



This is not financial or parenting advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

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