The Success Sequence

Human nature seems to have a bent towards taking the easy way out. What is the short cut, what is the fast track, a simple thing I can do to give me the desired outcome that I want? This isn't a bad thing, we often say "Work smarter, not harder." If you agree with that statement, then it should thrill you to know that there is a simple process to ensure your child has a foundation for success.

A recent study conducted by The Institute for Family Studies and corroborated by a study funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) States that 3 simple things will reduce the likelihood that young people will end up in poverty.

• Graduate Highschool

• Have Full Time Employment

• Wait to have children until after marriage People who only hit one of these milestones or had a child when completing one of these milestones, were more likely to end up in poverty, according to census.gov "Among the most impoverished are:

• Those living in female-headed households with no husband present (23%).

• Young adults without a high school diploma (25.2%).

• Those living in a family whose head of household is unemployed (30%)." Many parents have good instincts, they encourage their children to do well in school, delay dating, assist their teens in applying and getting into a good college and steer them into getting some sort of employment. If this is, you...well done! there are now studies that prove you are on the right track. More and more families are relaxing in these areas, citing freedom of choice for their teens. Although well meaning, this is dangerous and sets teenagers up for consequences they don't understand and are not ready for. Do not let up, it is better for your kid to get tired of hearing you say what will set them up for success,

  than for them to struggle and not know the way out.