Originally Posted by JA$ON

Well said.... Being a "cool" parent in not being a parent at all. Kids are going to do what they want to do because their friends are generally a far stronger influence than you will be. Your best hope for your kids to turn out well (IMHO) is to stress education, responsibility and safety. Put them into public schools based on test scores and graduation rates or private schools (if you can afford to do so) where the kids who DONT go on to good colleges are looked at as the losers. It costs me around $6800 a month for my 3 kids to go to school. And while it's a lot of money, I cant think of anything Id rather spend it on. Their successes, grades, test scores and desire to be involved in charities and help others have so far proven it to be the best investment I?ve made to date.