For starters no matter what you say or do our children are going to be influenced by the things that surround him/her. Whether it is for good or evil.

 One thing that we should know is this: Children normally pay more attention to what adults do, rather than what they say.
 Does that mean that what we say is unimportant? No. It means that what we do should reinforce and support what we say.

 Titus 2:7,8
 "In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."

 I Peter 2:21
 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps"
 Jesus did not just teach. He made himself an example. Just as He was an example to us, we should be an example to our children.

 John 8:38
 " I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with you father"
 Again, here Jesus shows it is what you see of your father. We as parents are an example. Our children are watching! They will become what they see in us.
 This means that it is futile for us to only instruct our children. They also look to our witness. We need Godly actions as well as Godly teaching.

 Matthew 18:14
 "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

 Another important factor in the path a child will take is the environment surrounding the child/children.
 All children begin life with a sinful nature. The moral atmosphere that a child is exposed to in his home will establish the sinful patterns or tendencies that child will be prone to follow.
 That is an awesome responsibility as parents. And there is no escape from it. We have to do you best to be the best example that we can be and teach them what God would have them to know.
 None of us are perfect, but with a lot of prayer and diligence, and seeking God for strength and wisdom, we can help our children to grow in the Lord.

 Philippians 4:13
 " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

 We are not without help, but it is our responsibility as parents to be the main source of learning.

 Proverbs 22:6
 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

 Now does that mean that if our child heads off in a wrong direction that we've done wrong? No not necessarily.
 In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32), the son left but he returned to his father.
 Now, one thing we need to remember is that we need to be an example, even if we do not have children. Many people are influences in a child's life. Parents- yes, but also brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, teachers at school or church, grandparents, neighbors, etc.
 If we look back to our own early days, we will remember in how many instances our opinions, sentiments, feelings, and perhaps our whole character was based upon the influence of the people in our lives.
 And don't forget the other influences such as TV, movies, video games, and music. Now some can influence for good, but that will depend on selection.
 Children are surrounded by all kinds of influences. That is why it is so important to raise them with Godly principals. So that when they are brought to a place where they must make a decision, they can look back to what they were raised to know.