It is correct for a person to command his children and household members to guard the way of Hashem, even though they are anyway biblically obligated to do so for it is the way of mankind that they listen to and fulfil the commandments of their father and mother more than they would listen to and keep and fulfil the Ten Commandments. However, one has to recognize each of one’s children and the level which they are at and not burden them with matters which you are worried that they will not fulfil in which case they will be increasing sin and iniquity. In the above case, if the parent tells the child to do it and he does not, the parent will be causing the child to be punished, as in heaven they are more stringent and likely to punish for one who transgresses the command of his father than for one who transgresses a biblical commandment. Instead, he should do the following, he should note in writing for his children explaining “this is a good way and this is a bad way”, without making it a commandment or a warning. It should just be a reminder and the one who hears it will listen to it, and the blessing of goodness will come upon him.
