Challenges

Life places many challenges at your feet. I try to teach my daughter that the choices we make as we face challenges are what define us, and our ultimate character. When you see someone that has made poor choices, it is hard not to feel sorry for them and try to tell them what they should have done. Resisting temptation, for all sorts of things that are not good for your body or soul, is a huge challenge. Whatever it is --- fear, ego, money, faith, etc. --- that helps people choose their path certainly is different for each person.
One important lesson to teach in parenting (so that your kids will say "no" to the wrong influences) is the whole concept of delayed gratification. A simple method of teaching that was shared at a parenting class -- buy a bottle of your child's favorite beverage. Put it in the fridge on Monday. Tell them they can have it on Friday. That is a simplified way to teach a huge life lesson. The few days in between will not be easy or fun, but life is not fun when you cannot grasp the premise of delayed gratification. (Smoking, drugs and alcohol all provide instant gratification for a teen, and that is the goal of the lesson above.)