Psychologist Sylvia Rimm conducted a survey of 1,000 women who had achieved success in their careers and happiness in their personal lives to find out what they have in common. Here are her guidelines for raising happy, successful daughters:

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1. Set high educational expectations for your daughters

Expect them to complete college and beyond, whether or not you did. Discuss careers with them, and teach them that educational attainment is of the hightest priority.

2. Help them cope with pressure

Don't be too quick to back off if your daughters have to cope with some pressure; it's all part of learning resilience. However, too much pressure can cause serious problems. Don't set unrealistically high expectations.

3. Be smart (but not necessarily the smartest)

Help your daughters understand that they don't need to be the smartest to feel smart, but assure them that you believe they are intelligent.

4. View your daughters are intelligent, good thinkers, and problem solvers

Value work. A work ethic and a love of accomplishment underlie motivation.

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5. Encourage maths and science skills

Counting, measuring, and experimenting can begin from the toddler years. The future will offer your daughters more opportunities if they are comfortable with maths. Encourage girls to play with toys that develop spatial awareness, such as puzzles and blocks. Reading is a high priority too - encourage girls to read about successful women.

6. Encourage extracurricular activities

Extend your childs horizons w ith music, drama, dance, sports. Learning to manage busy schedules teaches them organizational and planning skills, but make sure they have some quiet time too.

7. Allow your daughter to be competitive

Girls sometimes avoid competitive activities unless they are certain they'll be winners). Winning builds confidence; losing builds character. If girls are to be successful and take risks in a competitive society, they will have to experience both winning and losing.

8. Travel with your family

Try to include special twosome trips (mother/daughter, father/daughter) to encourage closeness and bonding. Although family travel arrangements can often be difficult, children don't seem to remember the hassles – only the fun, learning, adventure and independence.

9. Give leadership opportunities

Share out the responsibilities, regardless of birth order. Don't baby the youngest; be sure middle children also receive individual attention, and don't label children.

10. Teach your daughters to value the three C's: challenge, contribution, and creativity

Girls should grow up to expect equivalent remuneration to men in similar positions rather than settling for inequality. Girls should learn to insist on equal treatment.

READ MORE: 10 Great Books on Raising Daughters

raising girls
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  1. Raising Girls Who Like Themselves: In a World That Tells Them they're Flawed
  2. Raising A Daughter: Parents and the Awakening of a Healthy Woman
  3. Raising Empowered Daughters: A Dad-to-Dad Guide
  4. A Father's Guide to Raising Daughters: How to Boost Her Self-Esteem, Self-Image and Self-Respect
  5. Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World
  6. Raising Girls in the 21st Century: Helping Our Girls to Grow Up Wise, Strong and Free
  7. How to Raise a Feminist: Bringing up kids with the confidence to change the world
  8. Raising a Lady in Waiting: Parent's Guide to Helping Your Daughter Avoid a Bozo
  9. Confident Moms, Confident Daughters: Helping Your Daughter Live Free from Insecurity and Love How She Looks
  10. Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women

>> READ MORE ON RAISING CONFIDENT CHILDREN WITH JUNIOR 

 > Raising Boys: How to boost your son’s confidence

Empowering books EVERY child should read

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