Twelve Rules...

I cannot believe that today marks the end of the 1st quarter for us!  Time has zipped by so quickly that I keep looking back and wondering what happened...and if there is a slow motion button I can hit for this next quarter. 

My original goal was to post something at least once (shooting for twice) a week...but that just has not happened!  Between meetings, lesson planning, crisis with kiddos, behavior with kiddos, a birthday, parent/teacher conferences and Halloween...my best laid plans did not succeed.  I would totally set that goal for this next quarter......but....yea....

Anywhoo, I was reading some literature on "teaching practical life skills in every stage of life" in order to spruce up my knowledge and understanding of where kiddos need to be at each age level, and I came across twelve rules that made me chuckle but also made me sad in the truth of it all... 

Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children

1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants.  In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him.  This will make him think he's cute.  It will also encourage him to pick up "cuter" phrases that will blow off the top of your head later.
3. Never give him any spiritual training.  Wait till he is 21 and then let him "decide for himself."
4. Avoid use of the word "wrong".  It may develop a guilt complex.  This will condition him to believe that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around (books, shoes, and clothing).  Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on to others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on.  Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your child.  In this way he will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants.  Never let him earn his own.  Why should he have things as taught as you had them?
9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort.  See that every sensual desire is gratified.  Denial of his desires may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, and policemen.  They are all prejudiced against your child.
11. when he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, "I never could do anything with him."
12. Prepare for a life of grief.

*What Every Child Should Know Along the Way by Gail Martin

I know some of them seem extreme and I haven't quite processed through all of them....but....What are your thoughts?