This is regretfully more of a trait in Asian parenting. Regretfully ? Yes, while modesty in moderation is good, too much of it could be detrimental.

How??

Every time your child gets an achievement you congratulate him and say ,"Good Work! now you can aspire for higher." As in,"Dad I got first in my school race". Dad, "Good on you, with little more effort you can easily make through state level....".By using some motivating words you encourage your child to achieve the next level.

So what is wrong in that?

Ideally every parent should do that. This breeds the fighter spirit in your child...but deep down kills ...a sense of contentment...which is the true source of joy within.

You have subconsciously pushed your child in the zone of endless competition and ambition.

Even if the achievement is top, it takes him/her forever to relate to it as a matter of pride and celebration.They become very modest and thus are called humble.

This becomes their personality trait. Even as an adult they do not even acknowledge, their success stories and are never proud... not because they are truly humble...it is because they have too high an expectation from themselves. Hence each moment of success is belittled by their own self. So when you do not consider your own achievement as success or a matter of pride ...why and where would you be elated or blow your trumpet??This perceived modesty by people, is actually the unhappiness and low self esteem within, for such high achievers...who are on a run for an endless mirage.

To find happiness through their passion they get sucked into passion and forget to be happy. It all becomes addictive/obsessive.

How a drug addict starts small and wants a bigger and a bigger dose?? Precisely on the same lines. These high achievers are never gratified and need a bigger and bigger dose of success.A typical mayhem for celebrities.

So how can we minimise it??

1) Try to celebrate every moment of success in words and little actions.For youngsters, it might be worth appreciating them without setting further targets.
2) Nurture a culture of compassion..compassion to yourself and for others. Be positive and yet real.(Refer to my blog) Also bring them close to mother nature. Many life lessons are there to be learnt from there.
3) Instead of prioritising external growth, find venues for their/your internal growth, emotional maturity.Someone who is grown up within, will anyways be least drifted from the path of success. In fact they will be happily..successful.
4) Every school/home must have mandatory sessions for emotional intelligence as inner engineering/yoga/meditation etc.
5) Make a conscious effort to keep happy, by indulging in little chores that give you happiness.

VALUE YOURSELF TO THE CORE!