I dug this up yesterday to send to someone - it was posted by to a yahoo group I'm on. I read it every now and again - I think Kelly did a wonderful job of articulating a philosophy that we share. She's much more eloquent than I am.

If you respect your children, they will be respectful.
If you trust your children, they will be trustworthy.
If you are generous with your children, they will be generous.
If you are patient with your children, they will be patient.
If you model curiosity to your children, they will be curious.
If you are kind and gentle with your children, they will be kind and gentle.

We are easily conditioned.

But:
If you are controlling of your children, they will rebel.
If you are disrespectful of your children, they will show no respect.
If you are distrusting of your children, they will lie and sneak.
If you are impatient with your children, they will dawdle.
If you force your children, they will resist.
If you are stingy with your children, they will steal.

-- Kelly Lovejoy