Raise them the best you can, let them know you're the #1 person they can talk to about drugs, alcohol, sex, anything bad they've done, etc., let them know you're no threat, but demand respect, spoil them rotten, (if you don't ever give them shit to make them happy, they won't be.) when they do bad things, let them know why you believe it's bad, but never bitch, always let them have a say in the matter, they're just like you. Never call them stupid, or say you're going to hurt them in any way, they'll reflect that same feeling right back. MAKE them do their homework if you have to, again, never bitch and yell, tell them why you feel that way, let them say what ever they feel.

Personally, I believe the whole part of parenting is having a good relationship. How are you going to protect them if they won't talk to you or listen to you?