‘Thoughts'

How to Raise a Juvenile Delinquent

By the Houston Police Department – Published 1991

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 words “wrong”. He 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, and clothing. Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility onto 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, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial 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. You will be apt to have it.

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As I have mentioned before, my mom saves notes and articles from over the years and gives them to me in giant stacks. As I was attempting to filter through one of these stacks, I came across this news paper article. I do not know what newspaper it was actually published in; mine is a copy of the ad. I only have a date on the article (1991).

I could not get the actual header to scan properly, so the header is a bit different than it appeared in the paper; however it was similar. In addition, the body of the article was in a split column format. The article is however, word for word.

Can you imagine if this were written today, what the outrage would be? It seems appropriate concerning the nature of children today, the lack of parenting today, and even the behavior of politicians today (I think all the politicians are still in their juvenile delinquent stage!).

Thank goodness for the training of God!

Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Parents! Unless we want to see the prophetic words of this article come about; we had better be engaged with our children. Fathers, as Paul states, it starts with us! Establish and enforce a godly home!

•  Teach children to have a work ethic, by keeping and working hard at your job.

•  Teach children how to value things, by waiting to purchase something only when you can afford it.

•  Teach children how to appreciate things, by being satisfied with what you have.

•  Teach children how to respect their elders, by respecting yours.

•  Teach your children how to apply themselves in school, by continuing to learn yourself (especially from God's word).

•  Teach your children to be kind and generous to others, by being kind and generous yourself.

•  Teach your child how to love God and serve Him in faith, by being faithful and loving God.

This list could be exhaustive in nature; however, the prime thought here is that our children are canvases, what will be painted on them is often determined by our example and time. Will they see God in our lives and learn, or will they see the world and mirror that?

“Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord”