Two out of three British parents say that having children has made them behave better.
Almost half of the parents surveyed said that having kids made them become more sensible with their money, while 29% say they are now more polite.
Becoming a parent has also encouraged more than a quarter of new mums and dads to 'go green' by recycling more or not wasting so much food. Parents are also keen to pass on these new habits and everyday values to their little ones. Being good with money tops the list and is a priority for more than three out of four parents. Parents are particularly keen to instil good financial habits in their children by encouraging them to save and also donate to charity.
Huw Davies, a spokesman for Triodos Bank, who commissioned the survey, said: 'Having kids is the biggest prompt many people have to put their principles into action. As any parent knows, children pick up on everything, they ask questions and demand answers as to why we do things the way we do. Naturally parents are keen to pass on the values they believe in to their children, combining more modern priorities such as recycling and greener living with the timeless principles of sound money sense and good manners.'Top Ten Principles British Parents Want To Pass On To Their Children1 Be sensible with money
2 Always be polite and well-mannered
3 Recycle rubbish
4 Avoid food wastage
5 Minimise energy usage
6 Put savings/ investments to positive use
7 Give time to good causes
8 Give money to good causes
9 Make a positive difference to society through job/career
10 Choose environmentally friendly forms of transport
68% of dads say they have made at least one positive change to their behaviour since becoming a father. Mums, on the other hand, are much keener to pass on family values to their children. 74% of mums are determined that their children learn to recycle and 28% of mums want their children to give time to good causes as opposed to 18% of dads. Mums are also more insistent that their children will be sensible with money and that they grow up polite and well mannered.
March 2011
Opinium Research carried out an online survey, on behalf of Triodos Bank, of 2,000 UK adults aged 18+ from 19th to 21st January 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. | 
Cushion Yourself From The Cost Of A Child
