Having kids has made nearly two out of three British parents put their principles into action, according to new research from the ethical bank Triodos.
Nearly half of the 2,000 parents surveyed said having kids has made them more sensible with their money, more conscious of good manners and better at recycling.
Being good with money is the number one issue for families – both in spending wisely and savings habits. This reflects the current spiralling costs of food, petrol and the economic recession which is making most families tighten their belts this year.
The British tradition of good manners is still one of the top principles mums want passed down to their children with 'please and thank you' coming out second in the survey.
The arrival of little ones has prompted more than one in four families to recycle and waste less food too.
I know that as a mum I've had to brush up my ways as my five-year-old son is very keen on putting principles into action.
He spotted me putting a piece of paper into the bin the other day and said that although he didn't mind, that it should really go into the green bin. I guiltily pulled the offending paper out of the bin and into the correct recycling bin.
There's nothing like having your kids make you put your principles into action.
Has having children made you work on your manners or change your attitude towards money?
Do your kids remind you to recycle?
Which principles would you like to pass on to your children?
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Teaching your child good manners: Do parents lead by example