Tough Love is ‘Good for Children’

Parents who rule with an iron first — well, maybe something more flexible than iron… stainless steel? — are giving their children the best chance for success, claims a new study.

Kids who are raised with tough love, meaning a balance of warmth and discipline, are twice as likely to develop “good” characteristics — such as application, social skills, self-regulation and empathy — by the age of five than kids of “disengaged” parents, according to a report by the British think tank Demos.

Although the style of parenting is the most important factor, the study of 9,000 families also suggests that children of married couples and wealthier backgrounds do tend to fare better.  (Shocking, I know.)

The report also said that other positive influences include the main caretaker’s level of education, breastfeeding and not having Michael and Dina Lohan as your parents.