Regarding raising nice kids, I feel too permissive or too strict causes problems. I've seen so many kids from extremely strict families that have rebelled in bad ways. I think a happy medium is best. We've been fortunate that our children and our grandchildren have always been well behaved in public and make us proud of them. When the 3 girls, ages 9, 10, and 12 get together though, they can get a little wild.
They get so excited, they sometimes have to be reminded to calm down.
Now we have a great-grandchild to hug on.