Parents: Follow these sure-fire steps and you'll have a brat on your hands. If you want a nice kid, don't do these things.

1. Buy your darling every cute outfit you see, plus millions of accessories and shoes to match. By the time your little darling is in junior high school, she will expect you to spend lots of time and money shopping for designer clothes, plus shoes and accessories to match. You will have created a monster!

2. Laugh at your little pumpkin's outrageous behavior. Whether it's a temper tantrum or rude behavior that your child is exhibiting, be sure to laugh. When he screams that he hates this food or jumps on your grandmother's antique furniture, just laugh. This way, you'll guarantee that he will always behave like this to get an audience. Just wait until he's a teenager. You won't be able to control him then, either. Who do you think will be in charge (hint: it won't be you)?

3. Always buy little junior a treat when you go to the store. That way he'll always look forward to mommy or daddy coming home. Wrong! He'll be waiting, hands out, for that special treat. And he'll expect something bigger and better every time. You won't want to disappoint him.

4. Let your little darlings eat when they want and sleep when they want. They'll be cranky and obnoxious (dare we say "bratty"?) all the time, and prone to scurvy or rickets from lack of vitamin C. This sets the stage for disaster when the darlings start preschool or kindergarten. They won't be ready for daily schedules and won't get enough sleep. Neither will you, since you'll be staying up late with them!

5. Don't ever discipline your child. By discipline, I mean learned consequences for behavior, not physical punishment. If your child is rude, make her apologize. If she breaks something that isn't hers, make her pay to replace it. If she steals something from the store, march her back, make her return it, and make her apologize, even if it is a tiny item like a ring or a pack of gum.

6. Cheat, steal and lie. That way your kids will learn by your example. Also smoke and drink, just to make sure your kids learn all your vices. How will you control their cheating, stealing and lying at school and other places, if they learned it all from you? It's not a good start in life.

7. Let your kids play violent video games and watch violent or explicit movies. Where do you think kids learn to shoot and kill? And why? (Because their parents don't monitor their games or movies) Violent video games and movies glorify killing. They don't show the real blood and pain of death and violence. Besides, there are plenty of non-violent games and movies that are rated for appropriate viewing by kids.

8. Don't talk to your child about God. Take him to church (that's "take him," not "drop him off at Sunday School and leave him"). Don't deny him a foundation of faith that may help him get through difficult times in his life. It may do you some good, too! (and church is a cheap family activity just once a week)

9. Call your kid names and ridicule him. This way, he'll know all the swear words at a young age and will likely be the neighborhood bully. If you pick on him, he'll pick on someone else and so on down the line. So much for building his self-esteem and making him feel like a worthy human being.

10. Never take time to play with your kids. Don't let him feel loved or wanted. You can get down on your knees and play with Barbie or Ken for half an hour, or chase your child through the house in a game of hide and seek once in a while. Everyone needs to feel appreciated and loved, especially your kid. And know what? You'll feel better for playing, too.

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Learn more about this author, Laura Gater.
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