To Train Up A Child
Title: To Train Up A ChildAuthor: Michael & Debi Pearl
Publisher: Michael Pearl, 1994
Pages: 109
Begun: January 12, 2009
Finished January 16, 2009
Rating :***
This book is a very simple book on training children. The author has some very helpful techniques to aide in the training process. His premise is that if parents will rightly train the child in key areas then he/she will obey routinely and there will be less stress put on the parents. Mr. Pearl does rightly point out early in the book: "Understand , at this point we are not talking about producing godly children, just happy and obedient children. The principles for training children to instantly obey can be equally applied by Christians and non-Christians." I appreciated his approach to training vs discipline and that if you do your training right discipline and spanking is not a normal everyday activity, but rather maintenance of the home. Michael and Debi suggest that if you can give three days to training and consistency than you will have trained children and a much more peaceful home. They also say that it is never too late to start. The suggestion is that training can start as soon as the baby is mobile, 9 - 12 months, but they have seen great success with older children as well.
The end of the book is more disappointing in that they have several soap boxes that they are very dogmatic about, such as potty training your infant, their views on homeschooling ect... some they point out is opinion, but other is the "only right way". It is a good book for a spiritually mature parent who is looking for some good guidelines to train by. Honestly, the front cover and past books I've read from these authors made me NOT want to read the book, but after putting some of the suggested training into practice I have to say that it has been a good tool for me. And I do believe that it makes for a less stressful home as well as for happy children because they KNOW what is expected of them.
Labels: parenting
posted by JennieB | 11:07 AM
4 Comments:
Sounds like an interesting book, Jennie. I have never heard of the authors. I agree that training is the key and a peaceful home is worth working for! Good review!
Mom
Hurray for posting, Jennie! I'm getting way passed up ... but don't worry. I am reading. ;-)
Actually, Jennie, I was a little surprised at how positive you were about the book, since I've heard some strong statements about the authors from your hubbie. :-) But I agree with you--and him. When I read the book (I think I read a lot of it aloud to Tim as well) I do remember being spurred on in my desire to be more consistent and strict about the way we train our children and define lines for them. I also remember being taken aback some of the soap boxes and even theological problems the book held, too. But that's the beauty of a book--take what's good and grow from it, and be discerning with the rest! Thanks for getting over the cover and giving us this review! :-) I appreciate your thoughts.
Right Ruth, keep the baby, and throw out the bath water - potty too if you want.
Jennie, should I recommend the book to David and Audrey?
Thanks, Jennie for the post. I've been keeping my eye out for good parenting books. Any helpful ideas are worth at least considering. ~johanna
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