Success: Are siblings and community more important than parents?

Ask Rachel anything

What really shapes success — nature, nurture, luck? It's a perennial question. 

The Family Dynamic is a brilliant, captivating exploration of families in which all of the children became high-achievers. 

The award-winning author, Susan Dominus, has woven academic research into a book of wonderfully engaging family stories that tease out the role played by our environment: Parents with a bold vision, community, neighbourhoods, and most enlightening of all siblings. 

If you’ve ever questioned how important your parenting really is, the impact of siblings on your child's life, the role of community, or whether our kids should do chores, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

THE BOOK: 

The Family Dynamic by Susan Dominus

CONTACT DETAILS:

• Website: Susan P Dominus at susanpdominus.com
• Instagram: @Sue Dominus
• Blue Sky: Susan Dominus
• Facebook: She remains active and friendly on Facebook
• Additionally, the New York Times Magazine.

SIBLINGS: 

Based on Susan Dominus's research, siblings play a crucial role in a child's success through several key mechanisms:

Motivational Influence

👉Siblings can inspire and push each other to achieve more

Knowledge Transfer

👉Successful older siblings often provide guidance about opportunities like college applications and career paths. They can offer vision and perspective that parents might not have.

Spillover Effect

👉In lower-income families, the success of one sibling can positively impact younger siblings. When one child achieves, it can create a pathway and belief system for other siblings

Mentorship

👉Children are more likely to listen to and be inspired by siblings than parental suggestions

Role Modelling

👉Siblings provide each other with an idea of what's possible.

In all, the research suggests that if we can encourage healthy, supportive sibling relationships they can have a lasting, empowering impact on the future of the whole family.

If you would like to know more about how to set siblings up to have a supportive relationship I also recommend episode 124: Enduring sibling relationships.

Support the show

Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. 

You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. 

Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.

My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com 
My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
www.teenagersuntangled.com

Find me on Substack: https://teenagersuntangled.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/

You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk