First, teach children how to fail, says Samantha Cameron

CHILDREN should be taught to fail early in their lives, Samantha Cameron has suggested, as she argues it is important to take risks before the responsibilities of family and mortgages make it too difficult.

Mrs Cameron, designer and wife of David Cameron, the former prime minister, said she wished she had taken more risks in her 20s, before her young children and financial obligations made it impractical.

Speaking at an event for “visionary women” about her business, she said everyone should teach their children about the importance of failure and risk-taking, so they can learn from their mistakes early.

She told the Harper’s Bazaar summit: “I wish I had maybe been braver and taken a few risks – and failed – in my early 20s, before you have children and mortgages.

“I don’t really have any regrets, but I think in those very formative years, after you leave school or university, you can do with taking a few risks. Learning to fail young is something we should all teach our children.”