1. Express ACCEPTANCE.
Accepting your children gives them a sense of security.

2. Show APPRECIATION.
When you appreciate your children, you give them a sense of significance.

3. Give AFFECTION.
Being affectionate with your children helps them to know that they are loved and capable of giving love.

4. Be AVAILABLE.
When you are available for your children, you communicate to them that they are important.

Concerning tolerance, I believe there are four more important things we can do to set a good example for our children.

1. WE MUST PURSUE TRUTH.
John 8:32 says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This means embracing all people--not all beliefs. Listening and learning from all people--but not agreeing with all people.

2. WE MUST IDENTIFY WITH JUSTICE.
Psalm 106:3 says, "Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right." Justice requires a moral basis for discerning Right from Wrong.

3. WE MUST AFFIRM BELIEFS SO THAT THEY BECOME CONVICTIONS.
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Seventy-five percent of our youth only have feelings about what is right or wrong, i.e. "I feel that is wrong." Twenty percent have beliefs about what is right or wrong--but only five percent have convictions! If we don't turn our feelings into convictions we're going to lose this entire generation!

The bottom line is we must do what God calls us to do. We must discern right and wrong. We must act justly and exercise loving kindness--not tolerance.  Which is exactly what Jesus would do.