Raising children who are wise, responsible, and kind is a challenge best met by the Bible.

Proverbs 1:8 - Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

I remember my father once took my brother and me camping. Around the fire that night he opened up the Bible to the book of Proverbs and began showing us how we could apply the wisdom in the Bible to our actions in middle school and beyond. We understood that though our parents made mistakes, their success and directions for us came from God's Word.

Proverbs 22:6 - Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Heading into increasing peer pressure and opportunity for big trouble in high school, it helped to be grounded in truth. We never sneaked out to go to a party, never touched drugs or alcohol. We knew it wouldn't be productive and we didn't have an urge to fit in at all costs. We applied ourselves in school and stayed busy with positive activities and friends.

Proverbs 11:29 - Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. 

Your legacy follows both you and your kids. If you live selfishly, unhappy with God, and a servant to your credit cards, you'll raise children who look out for themselves only and have no sense of delayed gratification. Instead, ground yourself in God's Word and live your life out of love and prayer, serving God, your spouse and then your children. You'll give your children an example to follow and love that's based in their worth to God, not in their performance. You in turn will get to enjoy the trust of your kids and have the joy of watching them grow in wisdom and in God.