The test of Succoth preparations

This time of year especially, kids watch their parents with eagle eyes. At times like this, they learn priorities.

If a child sees that his or her father views building a succah as a mandatory pain in the neck, don't be surprised that the child in subsequent years doesn't want to learn Torah or keep its commandments. If kids hear parents complaining about the high prices of lulavim and esrogim, when nobody uttered a peep about spending twice as much for a pair of tickets to the playoff game, then they'll also grow up with warped priorities and minimal regard for mitzvas.

The principal of מעשה אבות סימן יפה לבנים , in other words, the deeds of parents are steppingstones for children, holds true all year long. When a child sees how happily his or her parent washes hands after visiting the bathroom or before a meal, then the parent will never have to goad the child to do likewise.