As parents, what values do you feel are the most important to instill in your children before they grow into adulthood?

loving God
being responsible to and for each other (family, siblings)
being considerate of others
treat others the way you want your loved ones treated
being honest
cherishing their bodies
being clean
being responsible
earning privilege instead of expecting it
carrying themself with self respect, dignity
being conscience of the image they portray to others,,,

I agree with all you've said, and I would add:
giving love freely
having integrity and consistency

nice additions,,thanx..

WHEN I get there...

Respect for yourself and others. Installing love from the start but allowing individual freedom to discover their interests.

Everything filters through.

I think mine would be:

Behave the way you want people to remember you by.
Never say you can't do something till you've actually tried.
If any of my or your friends are coming to visit, please tidy up the house first.
Never be the boy or girl who cries wolf, or it'll come back to bite you in the *** tenfold (one of my stepsisters does it a lot, and then she ends up getting punished for it).
Try to use the bathroom just before we go on a trip to anywhere, as i don't wanna end up with a car full of kids moaning "I need a pee!".

I am not a parent. Just a person who as been responsible for tons of kids.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO INSTILL IN A CHILD IS A SENSE OF GENUINE SELF WORTH BASED ON PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER NOT LOOKS OR STATUS.

I say this because if they have this, the rest falls into place. If they think they are good enough that they don't need to pass out sex like crackers to seagulls for self esteem, they will do better in relationships. If they think their minds and bodies are worthwhile, they will not do drugs. If they think their lives mean something, they won't commit crimes that can get them locked away. If they believe they deserve an education, they will seek one. ETC.

Very important, indeed. I'd also add teaching them to be "colour" blind. We are all human, after all!

Only one--the golden rule. To make that easier, I did as much as I could to give my child the skills to put herself in others' places. If you can understand where someone else is coming from, it's a lot easier to treat them with respect and kindness.

To me, the golden rule implies self-respect also.

Already some great answers. Thow in a few thoughts I tried to impart on my kids.

Realizeing that even though they might be the center of my world, the air I breath they are only a grain of sand in the universe if they don't make something of themselves.

That every human being is connected to others and it is a small world so you better live like it is. The friend/enemy you make to day may leave your life but they can come back into your life when you least expect it.

That everyone has a job in life and that when you are lucky enough not to have to be worrying about survival you better be taking advantage of it to learn as much as possible even if you are young. And the younger you are tne more what you learn pays off.

That respect starts with self respect. That every day of your life you make choices that show you respect who you are or you don't. When you don't it is not pretty in the short or long run. Being able to look at yourself and your choices in the mirrow is a good feeling and it gets better with age.

Wheather you are a family of one or part of a whole tribe you do reflect on your heritage so honor the ones you follow and the ones you preceed by making your name good.

That money comes and goes but generally it is a tool of the worker like any other and has no value if the work is poor or the worker has no honor. Dirty money only buys dirt.

There is no shame in failure if you tried your best but if you are going to fail at least be headed towoard a goal and not just flailing around with no direction in your life otherwise you are just running around in circles.

Finish what you start with all living creatures or it is bad Karma. Weather it is hunting, fishing, having a pet, a friendship, picking a mate, or having having a child, Keeping in mind a lot of things you start are long term committments; especially the later.

Home is and attitude not a place. That your home reflects your soul. If you don't feel at home where you live then it is time to move.

Simply,,The BEST values that YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU TO TEACH THEM,,IF you stay in touch with their growing,,and as they start to make ANY new change,,ASK them about that,,and their reasons to want to have that change to be,,,THIS will always keep you busy,,and having one 0n one's with them to let them know,,YOUR ALWAYS THERE FOR THEM,,and YOU DO,,CARE ABOUT THEIR Decisions THEY MAKE IN THEIR LIVES.. if YOU HAVE THIS AND DO THIS,,THEIR grow WITH ALWAYS KNOWING,,THEY have you,,TO ASK, TALK,EXPLAIN,LOVE,,AND TO FORGIVE THEMif THEY STEP OVER SOME LINES.. G
Good Luck and may God always be there to shine your ways,,,

a lot of great answers I agree

only thing I would add is room for individual personality - self chosen learning and life paths - letting them gently make their own mistakes teaches them to choose better life choices when older- let kids make ALL of their own age appropriate decisions. It teaches them to think

it doesn't matter that Johnny is wearing green socks a backwards red shirt and yellow sweatpants if he did it himself!

celebrate whenever possible like there is no tomorrow it makes great memories

praise everything - every chance you get

remember these little people will be lifelong friends

I have tried to teach them to always be happy with who they are.

To always try their best and be happy with it.

To never look back, their is always a new tomorrow, with no mistakes.

To look for something good in everyone.

To find something good in every situation.

To love with everything you have, never holding back as it's better to love and be hurt, then to spend each day expecting someone to hurt you.

If you give, not to expect it back.

To help anyone who needs it.

To never take the first thing on a plate and definately never take the last.. Yep thats a dumb one, but it just seems greedy .

and finally if you cannot say anything nice,then dont say anything at all.