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8 Ways To Ruin Your Kids

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child temper tantrum
Is your child a total nightmare?
Want to raise a spoiled brat? You've come to the right place.

Most parents really want to be good parents, but since most parents don't take parenting classes, they inadvertently get a lot of things wrong. This tongue-in-cheek article is designed to help you avoid the pitfalls parents have made since the dawn of time. With that in mind, here are eight ways you can really screw up your kids:

1. Ignore the crying. The tiny infant comes into the world equipped only with her cry to let us know when she is distressed. Her cry is the only power she has. A great way to create deep-seated, life-long fear and insecurity is to ignore the baby's cry and instead forcing her to follow your schedule.

More from YourTango: The Goals of Controlling Behavior In Relationships

2. Be domineering. Instead of following your child's lead, be sure to impose your own wants, needs, will and desires on him. Disempower your child by ignoring his way of being in the world and imposing yours using anger, disapproval and withdrawal. Your anger, disapproval and withdrawal of love may work well to control your child — at least until adolescence. Then, of course, you will be faced with rebellion.

3. Feed them processed food. Plan for your own convenience rather than for your child's health. It is so much easier to just pick up packaged and processed food than it is to cook wholesome meals. Your children will love all the processed food and get addicted to it. Be sure to create a sugar addiction by offering them sweets for rewards.

Then, when they can't focus at school and exhibit behavior problems due to bouncing blood sugar, punish them for their poor performance and behavior. (If you are very interested in the effects of processed food on your child, read Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride.)

More from YourTango: Soul Connections

4. Spoil them. Be sure to spoil your children by substituting material things for love. Because you are too busy to be really present with your children, offer to buy them whatever they want. However, be sure not to spoil your children by giving them too much loving attention. By giving them things instead of loving attention, you can train them to be addicted to things and approval. By not paying attention to them, you let them know they are not worthy or lovable enough for your attention. This way, they will be easily controlled by the need for others' approval throughout their lives. Keep reading ...

More family advice from YourTango:

Article contributed by
Advanced Member

Dr. Margaret Paul

Author

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is a best-selling author of 8 books, relationship expert, and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® process - featured on Oprah, and recommended by actress Lindsay Wagner and singer Alanis Morissette. Are you are ready to heal your pain and discover your joy? Take our FREE Inner Bonding course, and click here for a FREE CD/DVD relationship offer. Visit our website at innerbonding.com for more articles and help, as well as our Facebook Page. Phone and Skype sessions available. Join the thousands we have already helped and visit us now!

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Credentials: PhD
Specialties: Anxiety Issues, Couples/Marital Issues, Depression
Other Articles/News by Dr. Margaret Paul:

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