Raise your hand if you're a nagging parent.

For those of you in denial, this may be a good time to admit it — because you might be doing something right.

Nagging leads to success

Maybe you've dealt with an ornery teenage daughter recently. Perhaps a lecture ensued, followed by eye rolls and a slamming bedroom door. It's rough to lay down the household laws and feel like the bad guy; but take heart: According to researchers, " ... being a pushy parent is the best way to prepare [your daughter] for success."

A University of Essex study found that daughters who are "nagged" are more likely to achieve success, as they are more likely to attend college and have a greater chance of finding adequate employment.

The expectations and motivation factor

Daily Mail reported that the benefits of nagging parenting were highest among teens who weren't as academically centered, and who lacked friends or teachers to encourage their success.

The study also found that when parents set high standards and raised expectations, adolescent girls were less likely to become pregnant; thus, they were less likely to have associated struggles in life, such as low income levels, and unfulfilled educational and vocational goals.

"In many cases we succeeded in doing what we believed was more convenient for us, even when this was against our parents' will. But no matter how hard we tried to avoid our parents' recommendations, it is likely that they ended up influencing, in a more subtle manner, choices that we had considered extremely personal," researcher Ericka Rascon-Ramirez said. "What our parents expected about our school choices was, very likely, a major determinant of our decisions about conceiving a child or not during our teenage years."

Set high expectations at home

While we hope that teachers set high standards and can help positively motivate our children to succeed, most of a child's willingness and drive to work hard starts at home. If you value education and instill that in your children, they will know the importance of education and hard work. But, you also have to encourage and expect them to do well. Don't make excuses for your child when they drop the ball. Teach them to take responsibility for their own actions and help them learn from mistakes.

Your child needs someone to not only believe in them, but to also push them toward success. So don't be afraid of a little motherly nagging now and then; you may be preparing her for a better future.