Parents must know their limitations.

 More so than anyone else, including your close friends, parents, or spouse, your children see you for who you are. Because you impact everything they are and do, they get to know you completely in a way no other human can. 

Any parent, regardless of background, education, even morals, can be a successful leader to their children. The trick is to know your limitations. For instance, a bank robber cannot teach his children honesty, a non-believer cannot lead his or her children to God, an alcoholic cannot preach sobriety, etc., etc., etc.. 

The secret to leadership is this. Lead them when you have something to offer and get out of their way when you don’t. 

That was easy to say, but it is hard to practice.