"Stupid Things Parents Do To Mess Up Their Kids" by Dr. Laura. Does anyone NOT know who she is? I have admitted before that I don't agree with EVERYTHING she says. I found the same in this book. Though the book is FULL of her OBVIOUS disdain for people who have children and don't raise them (which I whole-heartedly agree with) I'm not sure that I agree with one of the points (at least it's the only one I remember). Spanking - er... she is TOTALLY for it. Ever since I was young it didn't seem like something I wanted to do (but Dr. Laura would say it's because I grew up in the "anti-spanking" era, full of distorted media reports about how spanking affects children). Let it be known that I do believe in disciplining children and consequences for wrong choices.
Back to the book (what a weird tangent that was somehow related, yet this weird "thinking outloud" moment that seemed to ramble...there I go again..) - I think it is a must read for sure. It's a repeated read for me. It is very well documented, with both sides of the story (though there is again her OBVIOUS opinion which I mostly agree with so it didn't bug me). If you don't believe yet that the family is under attack, READ THIS BOOK!!! It enraged me. It delighted me. But more than that it made me want to guard my family. It made me a more aware mother. It made me sad for so many kids whose parents choose not to parent them. I think it put some details in my outline of what I want for my kids and my family - so a definite re-read!
P.S. For anyone who is interested, there is also a little blurb about the postive affects that the "mormon missionary" program has on young people, including a newspaper citation.
3 comments:
Dr. Laura is the kind of person who believes that any means justify the end (saving kids from suffering). I have heard some dangerous talk about taking away parents' legal rightss and giving them to the State etc. from her that I strongly disagree with. But, overall I think she's a great wake-up call to parents who let their kids go. Just this weekend, I was with a family who lost their daughter in a museum because they weren't watching her(they were busy enjoying themselves), and get this, they didn't even notice she was missing!!! My sister was the one who noticed. Talk about stupid parents. I'll have to check this book out. Excuse me now, it seems that Celia needs some discipline...
Iƒ you want some back up on your concepts oƒ spanking, try Dr. William Sears. He is probably one oƒ my ƒavorite parenting experts, and a resource I use constantly. "The Baby Book" is great. I have it iƒ you want to borrow it. I also love, "The Discipline Book", because it talks about how disciplining your child starts by having a relationship with them. It's not just punishment, it is teaching them what correct boundaries are. I love it.
And iƒ you want to read a book that is AWESOME, (although sad) read, "Protecting the Giƒt" by Gavin de Becker. I think Heidi has a copy oƒ it. It's about protecting children ƒrom abuse, and it's awesome.
Ok so my opinion is worth what you pay for it- nada. But here it is any way. The best book I know about parenting is a scholarly work analyzing The Family: A Proclamation to the World. While I was getting my degree this book was being compiled and that is where I learned the REAL meaning of "spare the rod and spoil the child". Somehow some idiot thought that meant corporal punishment and totally distorted the meaning of this scripture. It actually means : If you don't teach your kids the scriptures you spoil or let them go to waste. Interesting huh? But it makes sense if the iron ROD is the word of God then why is the rod in this scripture.
Now that I have said that this does not mean that I have never spanked BUT it is not what I want to do and I have become more patient in my old age and recognize that this is not the Christ-like way to treat my children.
I think that no one can tell you how to parent your kids better that their first Father so I try to go to Him and let Him discipline me and them... You are a great mom and don't worry about all the parenting books because no one knows your child like you do and only you can receive the inspiration as to what is best for him.
So that's my opinion for what it's worth. And remember you are a BARON woman and you rock!
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