I don't have a perfect memory, but I've heard from my grown kids about what they saw and heard when young, but didn't understand.  But they understood the way we looked at the world, always for treating all people fairly and keeping our word.  Children pay attention to how adults talk and act and treat other people.  I think, as far as possible, they should be part of family decision-making.  If they are taught to make small decisions, whether to buy ice cream or save for a game, they usually come to understand the choice to either pay the rent or take a vacation.  Arranging for them to have ice cream AND buy the game is dishonest.