We were in Skagen, Denmark recently during the educational adventure with 3 of my 5 kids. It was a beautiful, peaceful place.

When we were there, I noticed the Danish children had really amazing conduct. In fact, we noticed the same thing in Norway, as well. There were lots of families around with lots of little children, but it was so quiet and peaceful.

You can be in a public place wherever you live in America, and unfortunately it’s usually not so quiet or peaceful. It seems like the children here in Europe are trained up very differently than back home. Of course, we heard little, tiny babies crying, but that’s what they’re supposed to do. But the 2-, 4- and 6-year-olds were not loud and obnoxious. They did not throw tantrums just because they couldn’t get something they wanted. They were very respectful, all from a very young age.

I really admire the Danish people for the way they raise their children. In a lot of places, whenever you see kids in public, you think, "Oh gosh, this is going to be terrible! They’re going to be loud and rude and having fits!" But that is the exact opposite of what happened in Denmark!

I have found a way to raise my kids that way, too. I actually wrote about it in Grooming the Next Generation for Success. We would be out and I’d see these kids who were wild and out of control. I would naturally fast-forward and say to myself, "Man, you let that 2-year-old be rude and obnoxious and manipulative now, then they’re sure going to be that as an adult. That is just a recipe for disaster!"

So I decided I was going to train my kids to follow a different path. We have chosen to raise our kids to be respectful and honorable, and to be mindful of others, whether they are at home or in public.

It’s not just the younger kids — kids of all ages here in Denmark are respectful. I spoke with a lot of college students as we walked around the town. They were well-spoken and intelligent. They didn’t say, "Um, like, well, uh……." They had great eye contact and a broad vocabulary, and they were all very honorable.

How you train up a child when they are young really affects how they turn out as an adult. They have a greater chance of succeeding in life if they are groomed for success from an early age. So do yourself a favor and set standards for your conduct and your family’s conduct. Decide to be a family that doesn’t sound like a bunch of ignorant idiots. It’s so important to teach your family good people skills.

I came from a family who didn’t have any people skills. It was nothing but hostility and screaming and foul language. But I am living proof that you can learn good, honorable people skills that will pay off in life.

It really would amaze you if you came to some of these places here in Europe. The level of respect and confidence these people have is incredible. You don’t see shrugging shoulders and sagging pants. You don’t hear disrespect spewing out of their mouths. The truth is, kids can be trained to be pleasant, honorable, respectful human beings.

It’s so important for parents and kids alike to read this message today. We have a responsibility to prepare the next generation for success. Take a minute right now and pass this along to all the parents, grandparents, kids, teenagers and teachers you know. Just post this link on Facebook and Twitter! Together, we CAN impact the next generation!

I’ll see you this Sunday night on our nationally syndicated radio and TV show! Grab your friends and family and join me live at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT.

In great faith,

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