📌 Episode Summary: Failure isn’t something to fear—it’s a crucial part of growing up. In this episode, Scott Schimmel shares why helping kids develop a healthy perspective on failure is essential for their future success. He opens up about his own missteps, from flunking tests to career detours, and unpacks how those experiences shaped him. Many kids today are protected from failure—whether by well-meaning parents, school systems, or competitive environments. But without failure, kids miss out on the resilience and self-awareness they need to build meaningful lives. Drawing from research by Carol Dweck, Amy Edmondson, and Erik Erikson, Scott explores how failure helps kids develop a growth mindset, autonomy, and a strong sense of identity. Plus, he shares three practical ways parents can reframe failure in their homes—starting today.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why failure is a learning tool, not a dead end

✔️ The connection between psychological safety and growth

✔️ How your response to failure shapes your kid’s mindset

✔️ Three strategies to help your kid embrace mistakes

🚀 Three Actionable Steps for Parents:

1️⃣ Shift the Language: Swap “failure” for “mistake” and “be careful” for “be thoughtful.” Approach challenges with curiosity, not fear.

2️⃣ Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Praise effort, persistence, and growth over results.

3️⃣ Encourage Reflection: Ask open-ended questions like, “What surprised you?” or “What would you do differently next time?”

💬 Parent Reflection Question: Tonight at dinner, ask your kid: What mistakes did you make today? What did you learn from them?

🔔 Subscribe