It seems like an almost impossible task. You've got 18 years. 18 short years to teach a kid everything he needs to know to become a successful adult.
And, it isn't really 18 years. After all, you spend the first three just teaching him to walk, talk and use the toilet. And after they reach about 13, they think they know everything and don't really need to listen to you anyway.
So that gives you about 10 good years to try and instill all your knowledge into your child. And remember, your kid's brain doesn't function like yours. He's dealing with more emotional fluctuations, increased hormonal changes and a brain that just doesn't compute how to control impulses.
This makes it really important that you pay close attention to what you are teaching your child. After all, kids don't simply learn by telling them something one time. It takes repetition.
It's also important that kids see you practice what you preach. If you tell them not to lie but they overhear you say a little white lie when you claim to be busy to get out of having to do something, they'll pick up on it. What you do means a lot more than what you say.
Here are 6 important life skills your discipline strategies should be teaching your kids. There are obvious lots of other values and skills you need to instill during that short-time frame you've got. That's why it's important to parent fast, because before you know it, they'll be entering into the adult world.