Focus on values, not rules. When you have clearly defined what’s important to you as a family, your child internalizes your values and can use them to guide their behavior in any situation. Remember that it takes time and practice before your child will internalize some values and live by them. Be patient and be hopeful. 

The more conscious parents are of the values they wish to pass on to their children and the more they know about effective ways of transmitting these values, the more likely it is that their values will be communicated and adopted. 

This process occurs over time, as children are not able to understand or incorporate some values for a long time. But children will benefit from having parents who work to transmit their values in a patient and nurturing way.