The privilege of being a parent is a fantastic challenge; the opportunity to civilize those precious little ones who are so fresh from God with so much to learn.

    One of the things we noticed when interviewing great families—families with successful children—was their emphasis on good manners. As one of the children put it, “It was always ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘Yes ma’am’ with Mom and Dad.” The children we visited were a joy to be around because they knew how to talk with adults, they knew how to behave themselves.

    We even asked to interview one family after seeing them in a restaurant. Mom and Dad sat together at the end of the table, and the eight children—all under twelve, all beautifully behaved, the older onew helping the younger ones, with no fussing or rambunctious behavior in the whole bunch!

    The Bible says, “Even a child is known by his actions.” Those parents who love their children want their children to be known in the best possible light.