I'm a father of 3 with the oldest only 5 years old - 2 boys and a girl.  Even when I think I've hidden a bad habit or a curse word from my kids they prove to me time and again that I have not.

Sorry to say it but you can't hide most bad habits from your kids.  However, I find that the best way to handle it with my kids is to show them that I wish I didn't have that habit.  It's important to show contrition not sarcasm or a joke.

You don't want your kids to think you are perfect.  You are not perfect, your kids will not be perfect, and no one they know is perfect.  In reality you want your children to reach for challenging goals.  Challenging goals - like being an honest, ethical adult that can be trusted and loved - are achievable.

As your children achieve difficult goals they strive for the next challenge with the confidence necessary to reach it.  But choosing those challenging - but achievable - goals require a realistic understanding of what is truly achievable not just for you but but for anyone.

Myths of perfect men - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, etc. - not only hide the hard work they accomplished but hide how we can strive for being closer to perfect ourselves.

Show your kids that you make mistakes and that even at your age you are still striving to be a better human being.