HOW TO RUIN YOUR CHILD*

1. Begin with infancy to give your child everything he wants. In this way he will grow 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 encourage him to pick up "cuter" phrases that will blow the top of your head later.

3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until 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 later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.

5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around--books, shoes, clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing the responsibility on 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 children. In this way they 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 tough as you had them.

9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.

10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, 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. You will be likely to have it.

*Original source unknown. It is known to have been distributed by the Houston, Texas, Police Department, under the title, "Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children." Community Parent-Teacher Educator Centers of Oregon heartily endorses them with a 99% guarantied of infallibility.