Nichiren said …
‘Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp, or a snake that is put inside a tube, will as a matter of course become straight. Likewise, those who associate with people of good character will consequently become upright in heart, deed and word’.
If we apply this passage to various influences upon children, we may say that the environment surrounding children, particularly the behaviour of adults, has a great bearing on the way they develop.
Parents must set a good example for their children before nagging them to do, or not to do, this or that. They must strive to become a good, upright influence for their children, like the hemp or the tube are for the Mugwort or the snake.
It is also important for parents to encourage their children to be influenced by people of good character outside their own family circle, so that the children are guided in a more positive direction.
In this age of increasingly disenfranchised youth, the stronger the influence to become a person of good character, the better it will be for them, and for society as a whole.
The Search For Enlightenment 
May 27, 2011 @ 11:31:53
Quite agree. Very much along the lines of that below. You probably have it already but just in case…
Regards,
John
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte
May 27, 2011 @ 19:14:58
Hi John, thank you for posting that. It is very true and, as you say, along very similar lines to my own post. NRMK
May 28, 2011 @ 11:14:29
….and important for children to see their parents doing their human revolution (inner transformation) – we are the 10 worlds after all 🙂
May 28, 2011 @ 14:38:22
Hi Jayne, important, as you say, for children to see their parents doing their human revolution, and to be encouraged to emabark on their own inner transformation through seeing the changes happening in their parents. We must remember that we are all The Ten Worlds, irrespective of our age or whether we realise that we are, or not. NMRK