Extensive research in the 1990s revealed that children who succeed in school and in life tend to have four crucial emotional needs met. Furthermore, they also have a particular mindset that helps them succeed. Children who are in trouble and fall through the cracks tend to lack these necessities. In this discussion I suggest that parents are uniquely positioned to meet children’s emotional needs and to influence their mindsets, and thus their school achievement. This explains parents’ impact on school achievement.