forget about 'parenting skills' and all the new-age crap and hype,
its so true about looking in your own mirror and being true to yourself then can consider to guide the young (that is what parenting is part of)
I have seen some films that have good dialogues like some are interesting and profound, learn to take notice how some characters 'explains' their wishes or 'deep life' to another. Take interest in how they 'become interesting in such a way they come to INSPIRE the person they trying to 'raise' or plant new seeds of interest/wisdom.
from top fo my head, i can recall films like "man without a face', "the sixth sense" ( i know i admit its about a boy seeing dead people, but look at how he relates to his mother and how the 'bond' occurs, that sort of thing, Dawson's creek is cool, but maybe too heavy.... forget cheap 5 o'clock comedys in family settings that's pure bollocks, and sometimes, its hard but sometimes that we have to 'white lie' alittle if you know your kid(s) doesnt understand it, but i guess its also a good thing also to make a promise (with watch ful eye later on, kids grows [up] fast),to make up for the 'slightly confused messages you gave' so dont wait tooo long or they'd get bitter, but like when they're 10-11 -12-13 (you be the judge on when), then you can explain more of the 'clearer , more real (truer picture of what you 'explained' to them way back
I guess that this bit is (what the new hyped of parenting' is ranting on about, yet its true, its' to ensure the bond, for trust is real or imagined, for it it will encourage kids to ASK you at the right time. best of all , BE their freind...
just food for thought, just maybe looking into your 'style' of leading
heres another good idea ' google up ' 'leadership style' and espcially look up 'handling group sessions' i know it s WAY off topic, but it has good pointers about being a guide/parent/teacher/boss (erm boss is horrid word)
cheers ,
good topic btw