Principles are the foundational standards on which we make decisions all day long.  What are the principles we are teaching our children to use as the basis for making good decisions?  John Maxwell lists the 10 most important principles from parents he asked:

1. Responsibility: Teaching our children they have responsibilities should start very early in their lives.  Responsibilities give them goals, forces them to do a job well, sets accountability and promises rewards.
2. Stewardship: A Godly principle is found in Malachi 3:10, “…bring  the whole tithe into the storehouse” … and God will … “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  Our children need to know that doing things well and with integrity will result in positive rewards.
3. Determination: Teach you child to finish what they begin. Honey is made from a whole lot of hard work.  Often we need to help our children set goals that are wise and attainable and then help them to follow through with their promises.  My children like sports.  I will allow them to begin a sport but also will require them to complete a set time they (may be a month or the entire season of the sport).
4. Potential: In Colossians 3:21 St. Paul tells us, “Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.”  Constantly build them up, encourage them and plant in them the desire to reach their potential.
5. Relationships: Friendships are extremely important for our children.  They need to see that our friends are wisely chosen and we are sincere in our relationships.  We also need to be actively involved in the friends our children chose.  We may even need to help them chose friends who will bring the best out of our children.
6. Work ethic: My father grew up in England.  His father died when he was very young.  His family needed him to work as a very young boy.  His first jobs as an accountant were in London while bombs were devastating the city.  He taught me that the job, it’s responsibilities and the rewards never, ever could be swayed by circumstances that tempted me to quit for something better.  Honesty, integrity and hard work were important.
7. Attitude: A positive attitude will win the world.  People stay away if I am negative.
8. Honesty: If honesty is one of the principles my children learn, they will have few regrets.  They will also be well respected.
9. Generosity: Generosity is not associated with having a lot of money but being willing to share what you have with others who are in need.  Teach our children to share and they will always have enough.
10. Dependence on God: Psalm 55:22 tells us, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.  What greater gift can we give our children than to teach them that the God who made the universe is not only interested in them but will also hold them secure in His love.