Setting a Pitiful Example: Twenty-six Warnings to Heed *

TO: All Parents [and Employers and Managers]

From: Your Child and/or Employee

Date: The present time

Re: Don't Spoil me; Teach Me

1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.

2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it; it lets me know where I stand.

3. Don't use force with me. It teaches me that power is all that counts; I will respond more readily to being led.

4. Don't be inconsistent. It confuses me and makes me try harder to get away with everything that I can.

5. Don't make promises you cannot keep them. It will discourage my trust in you.

6. Don't fall for my provocations when I say and do things just to upset you. Then I will try for more such "victories".

7. Don't be too upset when I say, "I hate you". I don't mean it, but I want you to feel sorry for what you have done to me.

8. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. I will make up for it by behaving like a "big shot".

9. Don't do things for me that I can do for myself. It makes me feel like a baby and I may continue to put you in my service.

10. Don't correct me in front of people. I'll take much more notice when you talk quietly with me in private.

11. Don't try to discuss my behavior in the heat of conflict. For some reason my hearing is not very good at this time and my cooperation is even worse. It