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I have over 30 plus years of working with young and older men and women from around the world and I am certain that much of my success was because of the following:

#1.  I would not compromise my values.

#2: I had an enternal compuss that was provided to me by "My Six Pack!"

#3.  I followed my "gut Feelings" far more that I followed "the Rules!"

#4:  "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it," emphasizing the lifelong impact of early training. - Proverbs 22:6  

Core Instructions for Parents

• Integrate Teaching into Daily Life: In Deuteronomy 6:7, God commands parents to talk about His words "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This suggests that teaching should be a natural, ongoing conversation rather than just a formal lesson.
• Lead by Example: Before teaching children, parents are told to have God's words on their own hearts first (Deuteronomy 6:6). Children learn most effectively by imitating their parents' conduct and sincerity.
• Provide Nurture and Discipline: Ephesians 6:4 instructs fathers to avoid provoking children to anger and instead bring them up in the "discipline and instruction of the Lord".
• Establish a Foundational Path: Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it," emphasizing the lifelong impact of early training. 

Key Subjects to Teach

• Love for God: The primary lesson is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).
• God’s History and Deeds: Parents are urged to tell the "next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord" so they may put their trust in Him (Psalm 78:4-7).
• Moral Responsibility: Teaching should include values like telling the truth, seeking wisdom, and working diligently (Proverbs 4:5; Proverbs 6:6).
• Prayer: Just as the Apostle Paul encourages believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), parents are encouraged to model and teach prayer as a foundational habit. 

Parental Attitude and Conduct

• Gentleness: Parents are warned not to embitter or discourage their children (Colossians 3:21).
• Diligence: Teaching is described as a task to be performed "diligently," requiring consistent effort and focus.
• Stewardship: Children are seen as a "heritage" or gift from God (Psalm 127:3), and parents act as temporary stewards of their lives.

Some ways kids show defiance!
Defiance in children often manifests as a deliberate push against authority, rules, and expectations. While occasional defiance is a normal developmental phase—particularly during toddlerhood and early adolescence—it can become a concern if it is persistent and interferes with daily functioning. 

Common Behavioral Signs

• Active Refusal: Flatly refusing to comply with adult requests, instructions, or household rules.
• Excessive Arguing: Engaging in frequent, intense arguments with parents, teachers, or other authority figures, even over minor issues.
• Questioning Rules: Constantly challenging why a rule exists or negotiating for exceptions (e.g., arguing for "just 15 more minutes" at bedtime).
• Deliberate Annoying: Purposely doing things to upset or irritate others, such as making noise or interfering with someone else’s activity.
• Blame-Shifting: Refusing to take responsibility for their own mistakes or misbehavior and instead blaming others. 

Emotional and Verbal Indicators

• Angry Outbursts: Frequent temper tantrums, yelling, or screaming, often out of proportion to the situation.
• Hateful Language: Using mean, harsh, or unkind tones when upset to hurt others' feelings.
• Vindictiveness: Seeking revenge or acting in a spiteful manner toward those who have upset them.
• Irritability: Being "touchy" or easily annoyed by people and surroundings. 

Age-Specific Defiance

• Toddlers (1–3 years): Defiance often looks like physical resistance (hitting, biting, or falling to the floor) as they struggle to assert independence.
• Preschoolers (3–5 years): They may frequently say "no," refuse to share toys, or whine to avoid following directions.
• School-Age (6–12 years): Defiance often moves toward verbal negotiation, questioning authority, and sometimes neglecting school assignments or chores. 

If these behaviors occur almost daily for more than six months and significantly impact family or school life, they may be signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), which often requires professional support. 

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes.