So much is written about celebrities these days that even the most ardent celeb-watcher grows cynical about how much of it is actually true.

We can't be watching our kids all the time, or constantly checking what they're reading on the net or on news-stands. We wouldn't want to; how would that help them learn to think for themselves?

But we can offer alternative reading material and we can encourage some positive peer pressure. If you see a great website that you think will interest your kids, send them the link. If they have a hobby or special interest, buy them a magazine or two along those lines.

One of the best things my wife and I ever did was keep our kids in church while they were growing up. In fact, my wife deserves most of the credit for that, because I was often flying around speaking in other people's churches. Today, our adult children are thriving in great churches, surrounded by people who, like them, are striving to make a positive difference in the world.

Peer pressure is a great help when the peers are applying the right kind of pressure!

6. Try to keep the lines of communication open.

With teenagers, of course, this one can be very difficult at times. They are, after all, in the awkward position of trying to establish an independent identity, while still being in need of your parental experience and protection. But you don't need to be an expert in teenage thinking and behaviour to keep the lines open.

Some years ago, when I was leading Youth Alive Australia, I sat in a press conference with popular author and speaker Dr Tony Campolo. He was asked why it was that, despite being middle aged, he could still relate so well with young people.

His reply was simple: "I just remember what it was like to be young."

That's where communication begins, with empathy - putting yourself in the other guy's Nikes for a while and seeing the world from his perspective. If you can, from time to time, take a short time-trip back to how you were feeling at their age, you'll find that talking to your teenagers becomes just a little easier (though it can still try your patience!).