Setting a Pitiful Example: Twenty-six Warnings to Heed *
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TO: All Parents [and Employers and Managers]
From: Your Child or Employee
Date: The present time
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 of 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