Knowing for sure is the opposite of trusting, right? The saying 'Trust Must Be Earned, is a valid one. I feel it applies perfectly toward strangers. With someones own child I happen to feel differently. Their primary influences are mom and dad until they're are old enough to be influenced by peers. Their behavior reflects on you. With my son, I like the approach that 'trust and respect breeds trust and respect.' I realize that statement may come off as liberal, however, I am not a liberal parent, just ask mom. I was a good kid...church, straight A's, honest as could be, never in trouble, etc. That was until an overly strict step dad came into the picture and decided he was going to lay down the law. I rebelled big time and did a few bad things that I never would done if I had gotten a little credit or respect as a kid. To this day, I have no interest in a relationship with my step dad.