Parents need to pray to God for their children, so that He Himself will teach them His fear and make them wise for salvation.
They need to show examples of good deeds in themselves. Young people, and people of all ages, are better taught by good life than by words. For children especially imitate the life of their parents; what they notice in them, they do themselves, whatever they see is good or bad. Therefore, parents themselves need to guard against temptations and set an example of a virtuous life for their children if they want to instruct them in virtue. Otherwise they will not succeed in anything. For children look more at the life of their parents and reflect it in their young souls than listen to their words. The word of any mentor, connected with life, is worthy and strong instruction; especially the instruction of parents.
The most important task for parents is to raise their children in the fear of God and good morals. Without this, all teaching and education are nothing. A small tree will be inclined towards which side it will grow; That’s how small children are raised, so they will live.
Many teach their children foreign languages, others teach the arts, but they do not neglect Christian education and upbringing: such parents give birth to children for temporary life, but do not allow them to eternal life. Woe to them, for they kill not their bodies, but their souls through their negligence.