Many parents think kids develop strong social skills from memorizing phrases like “please” and “thank you.” But the real foundation is built much earlier, at home and through everyday interactions.

I’ve studied over 200 parent-child relationships, and I’m a mother myself. I’ve found that kids learn to communicate and connect by watching how their parents behave. And being raised in an environment where emotional safety and authentic connection are modeled makes a world of difference.

Here are nine things that parents who raise kids with exceptional social skills do early on.

Kids learn emotional vocabulary when parents name and normalize feelings.

Parents who say things like, “I feel disappointed we can’t go today, but I’ll take a deep breath and try again tomorrow,” are modeling emotional regulation in real time. It helps kids later express themselves with friends, like saying, “I’m sad you didn’t play with me,” instead of lashing out.

Children absorb how parents treat others: the neighbor, the cashier, and even each other.

A simple, “She has her hands full, so let’s hold the door for her,” teaches more about empathy than any lecture. Small daily acts of kindness become the blueprint for lifelong social awareness.

True confident comes from being loved as you are, and being given the chance to try and sometimes fail.

Letting kids try out for the team or pour their own milk (even if it gets messy) says: “I trust you.” When paired with encouragement like, “I love how you kept trying,” kids feel capable and connected, without needing to be perfect.

Every relationship includes conflict. What matters is whether kids learn how to repair.

Parents who say, “You hurt your sister’s feelings. Let’s think of what we can say or do to make it right,” are teaching a critical life skill: Repair strengthens relationships, and kids who learn it early grow into adults who can sustain healthy bonds.

If a child says, “My friend didn’t want to play with me,” some parents might brush it off with, “Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal.”

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But parents who say, “That sounds hard. Want to tell me more?” are teaching kids that their feelings and perspectives matter. That confidence in their voice is the foundation of strong social skills.

Kids don’t always pick up on social dynamics naturally. Parents who gently point out, “Did you notice how his voice got quiet? He might be feeling shy,” help kids tune into the subtleties of human interaction.

These micro-lessons add up and shape socially aware, emotionally intelligent adults.

The second kids argue, the impulse is often to intervene. But the best social learning happens when parents step back just enough.

Saying, “I’m here if you need help, but I think you two can work it out,” creates space for problem-solving and compromise. With time, kids learn they can handle conflict themselves because they were trusted to practice.

When parents treat mistakes as evidence of growth, kids build resilience instead of shame.

A parent who calmly says, “You spilled the juice. Let’s grab a towel and clean it up,” models accountability without humiliation. Children raised this way see mistakes as opportunities to learn. That mindset makes them more adaptable and compassionate with others.

Kids need to see what good listening looks like.

When parents pause, make eye contact, give full attention (without rushing to fix or interrupt) and say, “Tell me more about that,” they teach how to be patient and respectful. Over time, kids carry this into friendships, becoming the kind of people others feel safe opening up to.

Good social skills are becoming more and more important in today’s world, and those skills grow from connection and emotional safety. By practicing early, you’re ensuring that your kid will grow up to be empathetic humans who are ready for real-world relationships.

Reem Raouda is a leading voice in conscious parenting and the creator of FOUNDATIONS, a step-by-step guide that helps parents heal and become emotionally safe. She is widely recognized for her expertise in children’s emotional safety and for redefining what it means to raise emotionally healthy kids. Connect with her on Instagram.

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Several billionaires and successful entrepreneurs never went to college, from Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg — and 30-year-old Lucy Guo recently joined their ranks.

The California-based founder became Forbes’ youngest self-made billionaire in June, boasting a net worth of $1.25 billion, after her first business, Scale AI, was acquired by tech giant Meta in a deal that valued the AI data labelling company at $29 billion.

Currently the founder of content creator monetization platform Passes, launched in 2022, Guo told CNBC Make It that she didn’t follow the traditional path of completing higher education.

She studied computer science and human computer interactions at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, but dropped out after two years. At the time, she only had one year and eight classes to go before she graduated. This came as a shock to her Chinese immigrant parents.

“They [parents] sacrificed everything to immigrate from China to America to give their kids a better future, and because education gave them everything that they have in life, for their kids to suddenly let go of their education when they were almost done was like a slap in the face,” she said.

Guo instead decided to pursue the Thiel Fellowship, a program launched by the billionaire co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel, which offers young people $200,000 to build innovative companies.

“I think they [parents] viewed that as a sign that I didn’t love them, and they weren’t very happy with it, when it was just me making a bet on myself and choosing to optimize for what I thought would be a better future for myself.”

But even the billionaire college dropout sees some benefits to higher education.

 Guo said that going to college introduced her to a network that became even more valuable to her as a founder.

“My recommendation for people is that one to two years in college is actually just incredibly great, because you’re going to make the best friends in college, and you’re going to meet the smartest people in college,” Guo said. “Everyone’s going to college because they want to meet people.”

She explained there’s no other scenario where there’s such a high concentration of smart people who are also looking to make friends.

“When you go to work at a new company, not everyone you’re working with is looking for a new friend because they already have friends. If you never went to college, and you just dive into a city, you can go to these events and try to meet people, and it does work out. But, again, not everyone is desperate to make friends,” she added.

A company’s greatest assets is the people it hires, and Guo says the best hiring pool is your college peers.

“Make sure to get to know your smartest peers and actually be friends with them. The best place to do this, I think personally, is actually in college,” she said.

“I can’t even think of one place where it’s such a high density of people that are intelligent and that’s the most likely place [college] where you’re going to meet your future hires.”

She says this network of intelligent friends will remain handy, because you’ll already have a talented pool of people to hire.  

Guo said her peers on the two-year Thiel Fellowship program motivated her be successful as an entrepreneur.

“You become part of a community where it’s so normal to build a unicorn company, because in order to build a company, you have to be a little crazy. You have to be so arrogant to believe that you have a shot at building a company that could be a unicorn. And it’s easier to believe that, and to delude yourself, when you are surrounded by so many people that have, and that is, I think, the beauty of San Francisco and the Thiel Fellowship.”

Other alumni of the program, like Guo, have gone on to produce unicorns — startups valued at over $1 billion — from Vitalik Buterin’s Ethereum to Dylan Field’s Figma and Ritesh Agarwal’s Oyo Rooms.

This article is part of a series on billionaire Lucy Guo. Read more below:

When I moved to the U.S. from Japan in 1994, I was very curious to try classic American fast food. But my body pushed back right away. Fast food gave me low energy, poor digestion, and even weight gain. Over time, I that realized much of what we call “food” here is engineered to be addictive, not nourishing.

Today, I live by the same principles I grew up with: simple home-cooked meals, rice, seasonal vegetables, fermented foods, green tea, and fruits. Nothing extreme. I respect my body and strive for balance.

At the same time, I understand that fast food is everywhere. Sometimes, it’s tempting and hard to escape. But here are five fast foods in particular that I personally avoid — and how I stay healthy without giving up convenience.

Hot dogs are essentially processed meat high in saturated fat and sodium, wrapped in a refined carb bun. Paired with soda (even diet soda), you’ve got a combo that contributes to obesity, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer.

What I eat instead: Tofu dumplings or grilled tofu sandwiches make great alternatives. For something a little lighter, try a whole grain pita with hummus, avocado, or falafel. To quench my thirst, I’ll have sparkling water or herbal tea.

This typical fast food combo often contains over 1,000 calories, mostly from saturated fat, salt, and processed ingredients. Add a sugary drink, and you’re getting a full day’s worth of empty calories in one meal.

From a health and environmental view, meat-heavy diets contribute to both heart disease and environmental strain. It takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef.

What I eat instead: When I’m craving something hearty, I roast potatoes, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes with garlic, olive oil, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s filling, flavorful, and nourishing.

I also love tofu burgers. They’re delicious, protein-rich, and packed with vitamins and minerals, without all the cholesterol. I always make extra to keep in the fridge or freezer.

Many people think chicken is a healthier choice than beef. But most fast food versions are highly processed, deep-fried, and filled with questionable ingredients. 

And chicken breast still contains cholesterol, especially if you’re eating it with the skin on. Even worse, many chicken nuggets are made with only 45% real meat.

What I eat instead: I love homemade tofu nuggets (baked and seasoned with garlic, paprika, ginger, sesame seeds, and nori flakes). They have an equally satisfying crunch and are packed with protein.

Donuts are soft, sweet, and easy to overeat. But they’re mostly refined flour and sugar with almost no nutritional value. Pair that with a sweet, creamy coffee drink, and you’re consuming up to 800 calories and 100 grams of sugar in one sitting.

What I eat instead: Whole grain rice ball or toast with nut butter and a banana. Make your own instant coffee with unsweetened soy milk and cinnamon. It just takes two minutes and you’re out the door!

Pizza is universally loved. But fast food versions are usually high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat, with little fiber or fresh ingredients. It’s easy to grab “just one more slice,” especially in social settings.

What I eat instead: If you must have pizza, go for just one slice. Pair it with a side salad, and drink lots of water. At home, I make my own with whole wheat dough, homemade tomato sauce, and seasonal vegetables.

Life is unpredictable. Kids get hungry and parents get busy. Here’s how I stay grounded when fast food is the only option.

1. Don’t get too hungry. Hunger leads to poor choices. I always carry emergency snacks like dried fruit, unsalted nuts, or rice crackers to keep hunger at bay.

2. Follow the “5-A-Day” rule. Aim for at least five servings of fruits and veggies daily. Choose meals with whole foods, fiber, and plenty of color.

3. Ditch the “value meal” mindset. Upsizing fries or drinks is a health cost, not a bargain!

4. Slow down, even with fast food. Take deep breaths, chew slowly, and eat mindfully to aid digestion and avoid overeating.

Michiko Tomioka, MBA, RDN is a certified nutritionist and longevity expert. Born and raised Nara, Japan, her approach focuses on a plant-based diet. She has worked in nutritional roles at substance recovery centers, charter schools and food banks. Follow her on Instagram @michian_rd.

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This story is part of CNBC Make It’s Millennial Money series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

Lauren Perraut has “always been drawn to blood, body parts, gross things,” she says.

The 32-year-old’s mom worked as a medical laboratory scientist at a blood bank for decades before retiring. Perraut would visit her mother’s lab as a kid and see those elemental parts of the body up close.

She liked “seeing things that most people don’t get to see,” she says.

That’s why when it came time to forge her own career path, Perraut opted to become a pathologists’ assistant. Pathologists diagnose medical conditions by observing patient specimens in a lab. As a PA, Perraut dissects organs and tests body tissue to prep them for the pathologist, and helps come up with a patient’s diagnosis.

Two perks of Perraut’s job: It offers high pay and doesn’t require a lengthy medical degree. She currently makes about $122,000 per year.

Perraut lives with her husband, Dylan, and 2-year-old son, Reed, in Lexington, Kentucky. Here’s how she built her career and how the couple manages their money.

Perraut attended Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, knowing she wanted to work in health care. But she didn’t want to spend nearly a decade going to medical school and completing a residency program.

“I really value work-life balance,” she says.

As an undergrad, she discovered the pathologists’ assistant path, which only required a two-year master’s program. She graduated from Duke University School of Medicine with her master of health science, pathologists’ assistant in 2017 and started working full-time a week later.

“There’s a national shortage of medical laboratory workers,” she says. As a result, “there’s a really high demand for PAs right now.”

Perraut works about 40 hours per week and loves her day-to-day. “When I get to work, we usually have specimens set up for us to start working on,” she says. “Those can range from small biopsies that come from a colonoscopy to larger, more complex cancer resections.”

She also loves being a critical piece in a patient’s treatment. “I feel like my career is really high impact,” she says. “But most people don’t even know that I exist.”  

Perraut is the primary breadwinner in her family of three. Her husband makes about $60,000 per year as an academic advisor at the University of Kentucky.

Here’s how the family spent their money in June 2025.

• Savings and investments: $3,899 into retirement funds and a shared brokerage account
• Insurance: $3,333 for health, dental and vision insurance, as well as Dylan’s life insurance
• Discretionary: $2,176 for Amazon purchases like a hat and sunglasses for Reed, child care and home goods
• Housing: $1,966 toward their mortgage, electricity, water, sewage and Wi-Fi
• Food: $1,057 for groceries and a few outings to local restaurants
• Transportation: $442 for gas, parking and an oil change
• Subscriptions and memberships: $168 for Spotify, Peloton and their annual Sam’s Club membership
• Phones: $77

Saving is a top priority for Perraut and her husband, and they put around $3,900 into savings and investments per month. As of June, they had around $400,000 in retirement savings and about $113,500 in a shared brokerage account and a high-yield savings account. They also regularly contribute to a 529 college savings account for Reed, which has about $11,500 in it.

“Our goal is to save up enough to have the flexibility to retire when we want,” Perraut says.

In June, the couple’s second-biggest expense was insurance, including health, dental and vision. The bill’s not usually a cumulative $3,333 — they happened to pay Dylan’s annual life insurance of $2,968 that month.

The couple bought a three-bedroom house in 2021, and the only debt they currently have is their mortgage. They also pay about $1,696 for homeowners insurance annually, and their property taxes were about $3,427 in 2024.

Car insurance is annual as well and comes out to $1,537.

Surprise expenses in June included various medical supplies, like eyelid cleanser. And other than the occasional trip to McDonald’s or a local restaurant, the family doesn’t spend much on going out to eat.

“I feel like Dylan and I are both relatively frugal people,” says Perraut. “I don’t feel the need to buy super expensive things or go out to super expensive restaurants.”   

Perraut is very happy with the balance they’ve struck. “We both enjoy our jobs and we enjoy our routine,” she says. She doesn’t think she’ll want to retire early, even if she can afford to.

She loves their location as well. “I really enjoy living in Kentucky,” she says. “We’re pretty centrally located to bigger cities like Nashville or Indianapolis or Washington, D.C. We can drive to the beach within a day. We’re surrounded by horse farms and lots of bourbon.”

Perraut wants to encourage others to consider a similar career path in health. “Even since I’ve graduated, the salary range has increased significantly,” she says about pathologists’ assistant roles.

“I find a lot of joy in my job, and I really want to share that with others.”

What’s your budget breakdown? Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in a future installment.

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The worst thing you can ask at the start of any interaction is: “How are you?” 

You’re essentially telling the other person that the interaction will be like every other interaction. They’ll most likely respond, “My day’s been busy. Good but busy.” It’s boring and generates a social script. 

I’ve spent the last 17 years studying human behavior and what sparks connections between strangers. I’ve learned that trust can catch fire or die out right away, all due to small signals in those first seconds of an interaction. 

Here’s what to do if you really want to instantly gain trust.

Don’t ask what everyone else is asking, like “What’s up?” or “Been busy lately?” Try a question that’s still casual, but looking for excitement. This sets you up for a better interaction.

A few examples:

• Don’t ask: “How’s it going?” Instead, ask: “What’s the highlight of your week so far?”
• Don’t ask: “Have you been keeping busy?” Instead, ask: “Any big wins lately?”
• Don’t ask: “Working on anything lately?” Instead, ask: “Working on anything exciting these days?”

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If you want to generate trust with anyone, encourage them to tell stories about their lives. Be known for asking others what they are most looking forward to.

Here’s my trick:

• On Mondays and Tuesdays, I ask everyone, “Did you do anything fun this past weekend?” 
• On Thursdays and Fridays, I modify it to, “Are you doing anything fun this upcoming weekend?” 
• On Wednesdays, I ask, “Working on anything fun or exciting this week?” 
• Before any holiday or break, I ask, “Looking forward to anything fun for the holidays?”

Everyone on my team and in my life knows I’m going to be asking for fun or exciting plans, so they save them up to tell me all about them (or avoid me when life is boring). It’s a win-win!

When it comes to building trust, it isn’t just the questions you ask, but how you respond when someone tries to connect with you, too.

The biggest mistake I see people make is that when they start conversations, they immediately lead with negativity: “Ugh this terrible weather!” or “My schedule has been crazy!” Instead, save one interesting thing to lead with and be ready when someone asks you a boring question. 

The next time someone asks, “How are you?” try to respond with some humor or whimsy instead. You might try a reply like:

• “Good enough that I remembered to floss. So, a win.”
• “Running on caffeine and a dream.”
• “10 of 10 today, I just got one new follower on Instagram.”
• “Hanging in there like a cat on a motivational poster.”

Essentially, anything other than the standard “Busy, but good” will wake people up.

Words matter, but your body talks louder. Keep arms uncrossed and face them square to seem open. An open stance invites reciprocity; a closed one sparks doubt. 

A solid handshake — one to three pumps, firm but easy — says you’re sure of yourself and can even signal your personality traits. 

On video calls, lean in a bit to close the gap. If they nod, try nodding back. Matching or mirroring their body signals tells their brain you’re safe.

Test these tips in safe, low-pressure places, like chatting with a cashier, a neighbor, or a friend over coffee. 

I do it myself before big talks — with my family at dinner, strangers in line, Uber drivers during rides, you name it — and it sharpens how I come across, making the moves feel second nature.

The key is to start small, and be consistent.

Try the question about positive future plans at lunch, or the mirroring body language on a walk. Over time, you’ll notice people opening up quicker, smiling more, and engaging deeper, even in brief encounters.

Vanessa Van Edwards is a speaker, researcher and the author of ”Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People″ and ”Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication.” She is the founder of Science of People, where she leads workshops and courses on science-based soft skills to help people become better communicators.

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