...what's more, parents need to engage in their child(ren) life.  I enrolled my child in school and community activities.  There were times that he protested, but I made a deal with him that if he tried out a new activity for a year and didn't want to continue after that first year, he could drop out of that activity.  More times than not he enjoyed the activities.  Not only did he participate in school and community activities, I attended and supported his activities.  My son knew he was loved and I reminded him often of that fact.  The greatest gift he gave me was after he graduated from high school, he told me that if I hadn't enforced house rules or insisted on childhood activities, he'd have likely turned out a problem child.  My son works two jobs, has money in the bank, and recently treated himself to a wonderful trip to Europe that was paid for in advance.  Give a kid a solid foundation and he/she will honor you with respect, love and gratitude for raising them with love.