In the world we live in, everyone seems to have an active role influencing our children, whether we like it or not. You cannot send your children to school, let them spend time at a friends house, or watch cartoons, without them being presented with a worldview. The question is: do you want someone else to determine how your children will behave, what morals the we hold, or the manner of speech they will use? Our role as the "Man of the house", ought to be as a disciplinarian, moral compass, and educator. If we do not step up to the plate and fill these vacancies in the lives of our children, then someone else will. We may want to complain about the outcome of someones influence on our offspring, but if we don't build their foundation and continue to reinforce this outlook, we really have no leg of complaint to stand on. Just think about what others may want to instill in the impressionable minds of our little ones. If you are a religious individual (and you would like to pass on that Joy & Faith that you have gained to your children) there are many educators that would love to show your offspring that Deity played no part in their creation. If you have not trained your children how to speak kindly or politely, there are many parents (who unaware ) are teaching our children how to yell and scream at each other. If we have not taught our children how to behave when they play with others or how to act when they are upset, then they will learn how to throw "fits" like their "spoiled" little friends. I know that once our toddlers grow up to be youths, that may make an array of decisions that make us feel like we failed as parents, but if we strive to teach them their role and what we expect from them, they will be more prepared to face the big decisions of adolescence. Even better, they may learn these lessons when they are young that they can carry into adulthood. (A personal example from my own life- My parents taught me when I was very young that adults should always be addressed as Yes Ma'am or No Sir. As an adult I still apply this and many individuals have commented on how respectful this is. As a parent myself, some of the first words we taught our infants{besides mommy and daddy} were "yes Sir and no Ma'am". ) Some of the most proudest moments that I have experienced is other parents telling me how polite and well behaved my children are for using those titles. ( If they only knew, hehehe) All kids will try to push the limits and see how much they can get away with. These suggestions are not a recipe for raising the perfect family, it is meant to help soften the inevitable blow of life. So sit down with your spouse and hash out what values you value. Figure out how you want to implement these worldviews in your progeny, and as you learn your Role (as main teacher in their lives) then they will learn their role: as sponge and personal mimic of the best parents ever.... you.
