Parenting experts concur with Kamala Harris that the four lessons she learned from her mother, including "never complain," were crucial to her success.

Her mother's advice played a significant role in Vice President Kamala Harris's success.

At the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, Harris, who was nominated as her party's presidential candidate, often referenced life lessons from her mother in her speeches. One such lesson she shared was her mother's advice to "never do anything half-assed," which Harris repeated on Thursday night.

Kamala Harris, the first-ever woman, Black American, and South Asian American to serve as vice president, was born to a mother who immigrated to the U.S. from India at the age of 19. Gopalan, Harris' mother, earned a Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley and later became a breast cancer researcher before passing away in 2009.

According to Harris, Gopalan's advice primarily follows the "authoritative" approach to parenting, which emphasizes regular communication and establishing "clear rules and expectations" for children, as child psychologist Francyne Zeltser wrote in a 2021 CNBC Make It article.

Harris's late mother gave her four pieces of advice that she believes helped shape her career success.

'Never do anything half-assed'

Harris has previously received blunt advice from her mother, which motivated her to fully commit to pursuing a law career and becoming a prosecutor to "protect people" on Thursday night.

Harris stated that he had decided to do that work at a young age.

According to research, children who remain committed to their goals and do not give up easily are more likely to achieve success in the long run. Additionally, parents who praise their children's effort rather than just their achievements teach them the resilience needed to handle failure and recover. Psychotherapist Amy Morin shared this insight with CNBC Make It last year.

Morin emphasized the importance of letting others know that their efforts and hard work are appreciated.

'Don't allow anyone to dictate your identity; demonstrate it through your actions.'

Harris attributes her mother's advice, which she shared on Thursday, for giving her the confidence to disregard critics throughout her career. In 2021, she shared with MSNBC that people often tried to discourage her from pursuing opportunities because she was "too young" or "no one like you has done it before."

Harris stated, "Although I've heard those things numerous times throughout my career, I didn't pay attention."

According to Morin, the major component of mental strength lies in the belief that one has control over their thoughts, emotions, and actions, regardless of external circumstances.

'Never complain ... do something about it'

On Thursday, Harris referenced this quote from her mother, which she has previously stated came from her mother's unwillingness to let her children whine incessantly without taking action to resolve their issues.

Our mother would respond with a straight face, one hand on a hip, and say, "Well, what are you going to do about it?" whenever we came home complaining, as Harris shared on MSNBC in 2020.

Experts suggest that parents should avoid coddling their children, as it may hinder their development of important traits such as resilience and self-motivation. Instead, they recommend finding a balance between being too harsh and not holding children accountable for clear expectations.

According to Esther Wojcicki, author and parenting expert, when kids are trusted to make their own decisions, they become more engaged, confident, and empowered. This, in turn, leads to unlimited potential for achievement.

'You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?'

The most widely recognized advice Harris received from her mother is the viral "coconut tree" quote.

During a 2023 White House event, Harris stated in a viral video clip, "My mother used to give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, 'I don't know what's wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?' You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you."

Harris' mother was once again emphasizing the importance of accountability from her children, encouraging them to consider their individual problems within a broader context. Experts like Morin and parenting coach Reem Raouda emphasize the need for open-mindedness and empathy as key traits for emotional intelligence that children need to develop mental strength.

Sign up for CNBC's online course to learn how to manage your money effectively and boost your savings, investments, and confidence. Use code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount through September 2, 2024.