Uncle Hubby's Recipe for Success*

* Specifically meant for those socially- and hormonally-challenged tween- and teenagers who require just a leeeee-tle redirection during such challenging times …

1. With every positive action, there is a positive consequence. With every negative action, there is a negative consequence.
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2. It’s absolutely essential to treat other people with respect to achieve those positive consequences.
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3. If you’ve done something to upset or anger another person, it’s a sure sign you’ve been disrespectful. And that’s a negative consequence.
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4. If you don’t know exactly what you’ve done wrong, it never hurts to ask that person so you can understand what you did wrong.
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5. When asking “Why?” (as in “Why am I in trouble?”) in order to understand a potentially confusing situation, do not make it sound like a complaint. Instead approach it as a way to recognize that you’ve upset the other person. For example, “Help me understand why I hurt you?”
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6. Once you recognize what you’ve done to offend the other person, apologize.
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7. When apologizing, be very specific about what you’re apologizing about. And be honest. And mean it.
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8. After apologizing, make a promise to that person that you will not do whatever offending act you’ve done in the future. And never ever break that promise.
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9. Also after the apology, be on your absolute best behavior. Don’t complain when someone asks you do to something. Don’t sulk or pout. The more you show you’re making the effort to be good, the more respect you’ll gain … The more positive consequences will occur.
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10. Respecting other people will gain their trust and earn their respect in return.
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11. The more respect and trust you give and receive, the more privileges in life you’ll be granted.
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    And finally …
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12. Ultimately, earning the respect and trust from others will earn you life-long friendships; friends that would bend over backwards to help you out when you need them most.