MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- by USMC Reserves Editor's note: This is the second in a four-part series of articles on parenting in which information, ideas and suggestions for becoming a better parent are explored. Scott Elkins is the community director for Club Beyond, a youth ministry program on Station. He makes no bones about the fact he feels religion is the bedrock of everything he believes in. But when teenagers come to him, it isn't to find God; it is to find a friend who can help them deal with their problems. "You live your life on principles," said Elkins. His first principle is the law of the harvest: you reap what you sow. If you want to grow potatoes, you have to plant them early in the spring and take care of them throughout the summer, Elkins explained. That way when fall comes, you have a good crop of potatoes. If you wait until the middle of summer, or don't tend them, then you will have a poor crop come fall. His point was, kids are the same. Parents need to start early and tend to them throughout their lives in order to raise them right. Elkins believes this starts with parents modeling the behavior they want their children to have. "If I want my kids to have good character, then I have to show that," said Elkins. He sees too many parents putting their efforts into making sure kids do well in academics or sports. He stressed these things rarely provide the life skills such as good manners, honor and respect which they will need to succeed at college or at a job. Elkins recommended was give kids a future. "Be a dreamer," he exclaimed. Parents should encourage kids to dream and have plans for a future. Elkins said he sees too many problem teenagers who see themselves without any plans for a future. One way parents can encourage their children to dream of a future is for the parents themselves to have some kind of dream or future plans after leaving the military and talking about them with their children. Children will follow the example their parents set for them. Elkins pointed out there is no reason for kids to show anyone respect if they don't see it at home. They learn to accept responsibility and act appropriately when they see their parents doing these things. Elkins also pointed out that kids test the limits and challenge the rules their parents set for them. It's important, he noted, for parents to hold children responsible for their behavior. However, Elkins also stressed the importance of spiritual guidance and religion in people's lives. "There is no point for morality except for your relationship to God," he explained. His point was people have to realize there are social and moral rules that everyone needs to follow. In Elkins' opinion, many of the bad kids are not any different than the so-called good kids. They are just not as compliant. They want to know why they should believe in something. "For them, they don't see the need for morality or ethics," said Elkins. "There is no consistency between what they are told is right and how they live. They question God and whether there really is a right or wrong." This is why Elkins feels parents need to set the example of good moral behavior in their daily lives, including going to church. Too many parents are looking for a quick fix, added Elkins. He sees too many parents reacting to problems instead of preventing problems. Elkins' answer is simple: be proactive instead of reactive. He stressed setting a good example and helping kids develop good character traits are as important, if not more so, as making sure kids do well in school and getting them involved in sports. It's not as hard as one would think, pointed out Elkins. Just think, "What did you do with your kid today that's going to last 50 years?"