Focus on relationship first!

It is so important, for parents who want to be influential in their child's life, to focus first on the relationship. That may mean that you miss out on a few parenting or lecture opportunities and it may mean that a few things slide. At the end of the day however your goal should not be to capitalize on every potential teaching moment but to capitalize on every relationship moment. Don't let an opportunity to say "I love you" pass you by, and seek first for opportunities to connect with your children before you look for opportunities to reprimand, scold, or lecture.