In
the fall of 1996, we had 3 demanding children (ages 2,5,7) and one spoiled newborn with
gastric reflux. Days were difficult, nights not any better. God used these circumstances
to start us on a path away from the 'child centered' lifestyle. We now have a 5th child,
and life is more orderly than when we only had 2. If you can identify with us, this book
will HELP YOU.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not
depart from it." (Prob. 22:6). The Pearl's say, "Train up, not beat up. Train
up, not educate up. Train up, not "positive affirtmation" up.
Training is the most obvious missing element in child rearing. Training is not
discipline. A child will need more than "obedience training", but without it
everything else will be insufficient...Parents should not wait until the child's behavior
becomes unacceptable before they commence training--that would be discipline.Discipline is
a part of training but is insufficient in itself to effect proper behavior."
Michael and Debi Pearl's book is short, easy (also humorous) , and very
practical. I read it because parents who had 'good kids' told me it was great. The Pearls
say on the back of the book that you can learn how to maintain fellowship with your child;
spank less; and get total obedience.
I liked those ideas! The emphasis is on TRAINING your children to be obedient,
rather than DISCIPLINING them for being disobedient. I didn't really know how to do that.
There are numerous examples in the book: how to train an infant to leave things alone, to
stay off the stairs, to come, how to not pull glasses off or pull beards etc. "Do you
want to wrestle with him through his entire youth, nagging him to compliance, threatening,
placing things out of reach, fearing what he might get into next? Or would it be better to
take a little time to train? If nothing else, training will result in saving you
time." Those of you with the littlest ones will find the most examples, but there is
help for every age in their teachings.
After you read that one, you will probably want their next one, entitled. "No
Greater Joy". It is a compilation of articles from their monthly newsletters. Listen
to these titles: Bad Attitudes, The 5 year old Whine Baby, Consistency, Emotional
Manipulators, Sibling Aggression, Potty Training at 3 Months, Pubermania, Training Teens.
It also has excellent examples included. Michael Pearl is a real ham. You will laugh
reading these books.
This review was written by a busy homeschool Mom who chooses
to remain anonymous
If you would like a copy of this
book please contact me.
