Parenting method of a mother whose son got a PhD at the age of 17

Jimalita Tillman - a mother in Chicago, USA attracted a lot of attention when sharing the story about her daughter Dorothy Jean's parenting methods and learning experiences from when she was a child until she received her doctorate at the age of 17.

Jimalita Tillman said she realized her daughter had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning that set her apart from many other children. So she began doing a lot to help her daughter achieve academic success. “I see my daughter as an inspiration for what I do in my daily life,” Jimalita told CNBC.

Dorothy Jean, daughter of Jimalita Tillman, earned her doctorate in integrative behavioral health from Arizona State University at the age of 17.

Dorothy Jean beganhomeschooling at age 7 and began taking high school courses at age 8. By age 10, Dorothy Jean had earned an associate's degree and two years later, her bachelor's degree. By age 14, she had earned a master's degree in environmental science.

Last year, 17-year-old Dorothy Jean received her doctorate in Integrative Behavioral Health from Arizona State University. This year, the 18-year-old is not only considering her future plans, but also founding and running the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute to provide educational programs for black youth in Chicago.

Jimalita Tillman says it's "no big deal" that her daughter has achieved so much. The mother believes there are certain parenting principles she followed that helped develop Dorothy Jean's talents.

Set clear expectations

Tillman recommends that parents work with their children to create an “expectation contract,” an agreement about what they expect from them. She gives examples like completing homework before watching TV or only being allowed to participate in an after-school activity if they maintain good grades.

"Parents need to be clear and concise, not ambiguous when communicating with children, especially gifted children," says Tillman.

According to this mother, gifted children need clear expectations and responsibilities. When children are involved with their parents in setting these rules, it helps them develop self-confidence and self-motivation, which is the key to long-term success.

Teach children about responsibility and set an example for them.

Tillman believes that parents are the best role models for children to learn responsibility. She emphasizes: "Parents should be responsible for themselves, clearly demonstrate their attitude and determination in front of their children to teach them how to take responsibility and complete tasks on time."

This mother gave advice from renowned psychologist Cindy Graham, who shared with HuffPost magazine in 2021: "Children have the ability to repeat what they see others do, so it is important for caregivers to be aware of the lessons children learn from them."

Additionally, Tillman suggests talking frankly with your child about your experiences with falling short of your expectations and how you overcame them. This can teach your child that adults are responsible for their actions. It can be as simple as apologizing when you’re late picking them up or getting upset about something trivial.

Keep the faith

“Parents and children alike need confidence to face life's inevitable obstacles,” says Tillman.

Above all, according to this mother, parents who maintain a positive attitude in the process of raising children will contribute to creating children's confidence, and this has a close correlation with success. In the face of difficulties, children who believe that "I will continue to try" are more likely to succeed than children who give up easily.

Avoid inappropriate comparisons

Tillman asserts that children should not be compared to others' achievements to motivate them to succeed. According to this mother, each child develops at their own pace, and comparison can have the side effect of making children feel inferior.

Tillman said she always avoided comparing Dorothy Jean's achievements to anyone else's, and she was adamant that other parents should not compare their children to Dorothy Jean.

Source: https://giadinhonline.vn/nguyen-tac-day-con-cua-ba-me-co-con-tien-si-17-tuoi-d200260.html