Let’s play “Back to the Future” and pretend its twenty-five years from now. Your kids are grown, and they’re healthy and happy. (What we all hope, right?) So here’s your key question to contemplate as you pretend to look at your adults.

One crucial point to keep in mind: Character traits differ from temperament and personality like “outgoing, reserved, sensitive, shy, and laid-back” and are largely genetically coded. The temperaments of my three sons that I saw in their first year of their lives are largely the same temperaments I see in them as young men today.

Commit to raising a moral child 

Research finds that parents who feel strongly about their kids turning out morally usually succeed because they committed themselves to that effort. If you really want to raise a moral child, then make a personal commitment to raise one, and then don’t stop until he does.

Be a strong moral example

Parents are their children’s first and most powerful moral teachers, so make sure the moral behaviors your kids are picking up from you are ones that you want them to copy. Try to make your life a living example of good moral behavior for your child to see.

Know your moral beliefs & share them

Before you can raise a moral child, you must be clearly about what believe in. Take time to think through your values then share them regularly to your child explaining why you feel the way you do. He’ll be hearing endless messages that counter your beliefs, so it’s essential that he hears about your standards.

Use teachable moments

The best teaching moments aren’t ones that are planned-they happen unexpectedly. Look for moral issues to talk about as they come up. Take advantage of those moments because they help your child develop solid moral beliefs.

Use discipline as a moral lesson

Effective discipline should ensure that the child not only recognizes why her behavior was wrong but also knows what to do to make it right next time. So help your child always reflect on the consequences of his actions.