Set a good example your kids will do as you do. If you expect your teen to always wear a seat belt, you should be vigilant about buckling up. Don t drive home from a party after you ve been drinking. Don t speed or disobey traffic rules and then expect your teen to be more law abiding than you. You can t enforce the rules unless you follow them yourself.
Kids are sensitive to double standards.
Make yourself a role model that your kids can look up to and learn from. Talk with your kids early and often about tough topics. Make sure your kids know where you stand on important issues from their earliest days. Elementary school is not too early to start emphasizing traffic safety, the dangers of alcohol and drugs, and the importance of standing up for what you think is right. Keep discussion of difficult issues in your regular conversation with your kids.