So, I just got back from my oldest daughter's awards ceremony for 1st grade. She got an award for having perfect behavior as well as picking up Student of the Year for her class. I'm as proud of her as a father can be and even got a little choked up about it when they announced it.
However, I had a stunning realization during the ceremony.
Out of the 100 kids or so, there were maybe a dozen parents. While I can't make it to every function, I do my damndest to make as many as I can and the ones I'm not at, my wife is. I recognized many of the other parents, not by name, but by the fact that they too show up for their children's events.
Of those dozen parents, each one of them watched their child get an award.
The well behaved kids, the ones who do good in school, the ones voted by both their teachers and their own classmates as Student of the Year – their parents are involved in their lives. It's anecdotal, to be sure, and there are plenty of kids who do well without good parenting, but it's obvious the advantage having parents who are active in their children's lives.
Take pride in your children, I guarantee they'll return the favor ten fold.