I highly recommend this amazing New York Times article on how to instill “performance character” (as opposed to “moral character”) in children. It shows how children can become more grateful and grittier when they overcome failure which in turn gives them happy, meaningful and productive lives.
The findings are so contrary to the current dogma of instilling “moral” values in our children and of shielding them from failure, that it should be required readings for all parents.
Read the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all