Behavior and Special Needs

As a mom, I have lately become very discouraged at the challenge of raising my boys to become men. The constant whining bothers me immensely - not simply because it gets on my last nerve, but because it is wrong. The bickering and arguing among themselves bothers me - not simply because it gets on my second-to-the-last nerve, but because it is wrong. My children have sinful hearts, which is evident quite often, but how do you teach this to a young child? I am able to see it, but only because I have been illumined by the work of the Holy Spirit in my own life. They will not feel conviction of sin until their hearts are changed by this work. Still, I want to teach them sensitivity in general. By teaching them to be sensitive to others and to their own behavior, I believe they will remain sensitive throughout their lives. But how, exactly, is this done?

For parents of "special needs" children and "typical" children, what have you done to encourage sensitivity toward right behavior in your children? I would especially be encouraged to hear from those of you with boys.

I think this is an important area for all of us to consider when our children are very young. They pick up habits - good and bad - so easily, and it is always harder to unteach something than to teach it right the first time.