When most people hear the name Donald Trump, they instantly think “Douche bag.” Next, they think, “toupee/bad comb over.” Following that is something cheesy about being fired, and some mockery of his steely-eyed gaze. But never – never – on that list is any mention of Donald Trump’s legendarily awesome parenting skills. Why? Probably because the rest of his personality overshadows that aspect of his life. But he actually has raised three smart, successful adult children – Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric. Trump’s young son Barron and daughter Tiffany are still kids and thus works in progress.
Apparently The Donald has decided to promote his parenting skills – and says he’s a kick ass father. Thus the next logical step is to tell you how to raise equally kick ass kids. He spoke to AOL’s Mom Logic website, where he dispensed his five tips for parenting.
1. Be an example. Children watch — and they will emulate what they see.
2. Set the standard high. Challenge is good, and accomplishment creates healthy self-respect.
3. Stress the importance of education, it’s the foundation for success.
4. Let them know they are exceptional, so exceptional results are expected.
5. Exhibit a sense of community through participation and philanthropy. Giving back is a great reward
[From Momlogic via Bitten and Bound]
Few things here. First off, what exactly is Trump an example of? If his kids followed his lead, they’d all have multiple marriages and bad real estate investments under their belts by now. Jokes aside, I can’t really argue with that advice, or number two, though I highly doubt Donald came up with any of these on his own. Bitten and Bound points out that all of Trump’s kids have gone to boarding school, so number three was pretty easy for him. It just involved purchase of a plane ticket. But again, can’t argue with it.
Number four surprised me and is good to hear from someone like The Donald. He seems so full of himself that I was pleasantly surprised that he realizes the importance of passing on self-worth to his kids. Number five is just an all-out lie. Donald Trump is a legendarily tiny giver. It’d be beautiful advice if he backed it up in any meaningful way.
I’m guessing there’s a good chance this was just written by one of The Donald’s people. But his grown kids are all successful. Ivanka is the most famous and quite the multitasker, but Donald Jr. and Eric have done really well for themselves as well. Obviously Trump did something right – though it might have just been hiring the best nannies.
Here’s Donald Trump announcing the launch of Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium with Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and the founder and chairman of Bayrock Group Tevik Arif in New York in August 2007. Images thanks to WENN.
Yep. The credit goes to: the teams of nannies, babysitters, interns, teachers, mentors, principals, Trump Tower staff, and maybe one Donald Trump look-alike with the task of hugging the kids.
I loathe The Donald.
I’m no fan of the Donald but give the guy some credit. What he is espousing is good stuff whether you agree with him or not. Also, he did provide financially for all of his children.
Oh who cares what he’s supposedly raised? Still doesn’t change the fact that he’s an intensely dislikeable, egotistic arse with numerous nasty streaks and comedy hair.
His kids triumphed despite him not because of him.
I’ve never liked him, but he’s right. And he did, whether hands-on or through good nannies and schools, rear some upstanding kids. You never hear of them smashing cameras or drunk driving or doing lines of coke in the bathroom at trendy restaurants.
“His grown kids are all successful”?
Um, they all work for the Trump Organization. I mean, they might be smart and hard-working, but it’s not like they’d all be corporate VPs if they weren’t his kids.
So is the 6th tip for having successful kids, “Hire them to work in your company.”?
I’d like to know how often he saw his kids to put these advice points into effect. I’d like to see how successful they’d be away from the family business (not that I’m doubting their business prowess). Eric is a little unfortunate looking, probably why he’s the least famous. (I know I’m a bitch).
I agree with Syko 100%. I always equated the kids with the Hilton brats, but once you see the Trump kids in action, you realize how smart they are. The fact that they’re blindingly loyal to their father and hold top positions in his company shows that, despite public perception, he’s been there for his kids. And say what you will about the Donald, but he handled his post divorce relationship with Ivana extremely well.
Once again, I think I’m the only one who likes/respects the man. I think he has a sincere and decent bone (or two) in his body, which can’t be said for everyone in corporate America. Trust me… I work with people like him every day and he’s not the worst douche you will find.
I actually happen to work for the Trump family, so allow me to correct a few ass-umptions you so-called “people in the know” have made.
1. The children did not have nannies, babysitters or caretakers. They are raised by the family. Mr. Trump is with them every chance he gets.
2. His children were never given anything except their educations. They all have made their own money and their own places in the organization, no nepotism for them. Anytime they ever wanted things as children, they had to earn it. As for “All he had to do was buy a plane ticket” thats hardly true. He had to earn the money to pay the tuitions, research the right schools for the kids, and find time to make sure that even while away his children were doing right. Boarding school does NOT equal zero parental responsibility.
3. His hair is not a toupee. That is his hair. This one ticks me off more than any of the others.
4. He is actually a very generous person with his pet causes. This being said, nobody ever got rich by giving their money away. He didn’t get rich off of acting or inventing, he got rich by working hard and making money. While he may not be as “giving” as some celebrities, he finds his own ways to give back to the community, and those he feels are deserving of a hand. He is particularly generous with we employees. (How many other employers feed their staff twice a day for free?)
5. So he’s divorced twice. These days, thats hardly uncommon. Being divorced hardly makes you a bad person.
6. Not one of his *5* children has ever been arrested, been to rehab, or had a scandal. Sure two of them are minors, but that’s really not the important thing. His parenting skills have produced well-adjusted, functional and successful children. Considering the children of other wealthy families, I think his track record is considerably better than the average.
So really, all of you know-it-all’s really just don’t know anything. It’s easy to be spiteful of those you dislike who have things you want (money, fame etc), but don’t go spouting off about things “you know” when you really know nothing. You just reek of sour grapes when you do that.
@Ohforf – thanks for the background. I had always suspected as much, but I don’t know enough about him to make such broad statements. I’m glad he’s as decent as you say he is… nice to know my ‘people reading’ skills are still somewhat intact.
Awww, just gives me a warm fuzzy reading his tips for raising employees, I mean kids. I don’t think kick ass would be the term I’d use for him. I think we need to hear from Ivana re: his daddy skills. How many hours could he have spent at home with them?
Thanks, Ohforf. That pretty much confirms what I thought. I think I like him a little better.
I don’t know why, but I’ve always kinda liked this guy. Not enough to watch his tv show, mind you, but I just get the feeling that underneath it all, he’s OK.
He always looks constipated and confused.
the son with the red tie looks just like his father, poor thing. and sorry trump-lovers: i’m reserving my admiration for young adults who have come from nothing, with no opportunities at all and made something of themselves (without drugs, jail or rehab) and without relying on daddy’s money or daddy’s company to fall back on.
I agree with Ohforf.
Just because the guy is rich doesn’t mean he’s a douchebag. It’s obvious that the man works hard. People just loathe and resent the shit of of rich people; therefore criticizing them for trivial shit.
The proof is in the pudding. His children. I’ve met complete douchebags, asshats, and rotten brats and trust…its always the parents fault.
I think it is interesting that not one of you has given these children’s mother any credit. Ivana divorced Trump after she caught him cheating on her. I’d say she’s given them a serious sense of self worth by not acting like a doormat. From what I gather, she did much of the childrearing.
Margie – You beat me to it! I was just going to bring that point to the fore. Yes, what about Mom, Ivana? Does she get no credit, here? And she probably spent a whole lot more time with the children than Donald!
LMAO! “Just because the guy is rich doesn’t mean he’s a douchebag.”
No, he’s a douchebag because of the immature things he says to the press. oy 🙄
And don’t tell me he never, ever had a babysitter. Baloney. Anybody that works for Trump is never, ever going to be biased … lol
I think Ivana, the MOTHER of the children, deserves more credit, frankly.
We’ll ALL had a babysitter at one time or another gg – that’s not the issue (I think). Someone came on board and mentioned that his kids are great because they were raised by nannies and personal staff – which does not appear to be true.
No one is discounting Ivana either, I’m sure she was a fantastic mother – I also admire how she handled the divorce from him… very classy woman. But… the article is about DONALD and his kids, not IVANA, DONALD and kids.
For the record… kudos to Ivana too 😕
Why does this man get media attention? He’s a boring narcissist.
…are you listening Lynne Spears
He has raised good kids (now adults). I have never heard anything negative about them. I heard Ivanka was actualy pretty humble. If he came out with a bokk like that I would bye it.
me, exasperated. donald is a fucking douche. his kids, despite all their education. still only work for him.
and OHFORF IS SO OBVIOUSLY EITHER DONALD HIS NASTY SELF, OR ONE OF THE VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO LIKE HIM.
this entire debate on his douchedom is plain dumb. sending your kids away IS NOT GOOD PARENTING..unless it’s bootcamp for a badly behaved kid. i’m sure his children hate him. i’m sure of it. they stick with him because he is blood and he is money, but i’m SURE they effing hate him.