Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: I think Dr. Dobson is one of the most knowledgeable men out there about child rearing. I think far to often psychologists try to psycho analyze children's behavior so much that they miss the boat entirely, and believe me I worked (in a working environment)with psychologists and social workers for ten years, so I should know. I think Dr. Dobson's ideas are down to earth. Anybody who feels he advocates child abuse is being absolutely ridiculous. Discipline and abuse are two different things. Discipline is setting limits and boundaries which help children to be secure in their environment. I am raising two children a boy and a girl based upon his teachings. My children receive compliments from teachers, family and friends all the time on their helpfulness, courtesy and eagerness to learn. My children are ages 13 and 16 years.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss the boat!
Review: I've read this book as well as other Dobson books. He is on target here. Yes, it is VERY difficult to raise a bright and very stubborn child. Parents must learn to be in control or there will be chaos and the child WILL suffer if the parent doesn't find that control.When you're a new parent, the advice is "don't spank and don't damage the child's self-esteem". Most children don't need to be corrected with spanking (and spanking is NOT abuse if it is done correctly and not in anger). If the new parent follows the popular advice with a strong-willed child, you'll find yourself controlled by your child and your child will grow up thinking there is no right or wrong (sociopath). My husband who is a psychiatrist and treats ADD/ADHD children on a daily basis recommends this book as well as others.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely useful advice...
Review: In this age where too many parents don't have the backbones to stand up to their children, Dobson offers practical advice that encompasses God's teaching that "he that spareth the rod hateth his Son". Even though I fully believe God's advice on the subject, it is easy for my commitment to effective discipline to wear thin with a stubborn child. This book served as an invigorating breath of fresh air for me. Our "easy" child has just started kindergarten and I am appalled at seeing the results of a society that has come to believe that discipline is child-abuse and that telling a child "no" is a bad thing. These parents think they are showing love for their children, but if they ever saw them in school they would realize just how much they are doing dis-service to their children. For any Christian, I would recommend that you first read the Bible on the subject of child-rearing and secondly, Mr. Dobson.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely useful advice...
Review: In this age where too many parents don't have the backbones to stand up to their children, Dobson offers practical advice that encompasses God's teaching that "he that spareth the rod hateth his Son". Even though I fully believe God's advice on the subject, it is easy for my commitment to effective discipline to wear thin with a stubborn child. This book served as an invigorating breath of fresh air for me. Our "easy" child has just started kindergarten and I am appalled at seeing the results of a society that has come to believe that discipline is child-abuse and that telling a child "no" is a bad thing. These parents think they are showing love for their children, but if they ever saw them in school they would realize just how much they are doing dis-service to their children. For any Christian, I would recommend that you first read the Bible on the subject of child-rearing and secondly, Mr. Dobson.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent parenting resource!
Review: James Dobson hits the nail on the head with this work. As a youth worker of 17 years and a parent of three, I found this book very refreshing and practical. The principles are not abusive. Abuse is allowing complete freedom with no restraint. Dobson advocates a firm, loving relationship
Rating: 
Summary: James Dobson on Parenting - Control issues
Review: Out of curiousity we picked up this book as it was referenced. One of the things that struck me was Dobson relates an encounter with his dog (a dachshund named 'siggie') to illustrate how to maintain/regain control. After reading that, I would not take Mr. Dobson's advice on anything and especially on that involving the gospel, and certainly that of rearing a child. His disgusting display over beating his dog to 'gain the upper hand' and control is simply sick. (Not even one star material except you need it to post a review.)
Rating:
Summary: consider the source...
Review: Please consider the source of the advice to spank before deciding it's in your child's best interest: Dr. Dobson heads "Focus on the Family" a group bent on, among the usual "family values" things, fighting against homosexuality. And I'm not talking about expressing his religious objection (something he certainly has a right to do). I'm talking about actively working to fight against what he deems objectionable, things like basic human rights for all people. He is another in the army of radio personalities who reduce complex issues to slogans and blur that pesky distinction we like to make in the U.S. between my rights and your rights. Basically, he hates homosexuals, so they should be irradicated. I'm not especially surprised that he advocates spanking. Intolerant people regularly turn to violence to solve their problems. If you are a thoughtful individual who has stumbled upon this book looking for advice, and you care about finding a way to raise your child without resorting to beating, then please consider the source. Do a search on the net of Dobson's name. See if you think he is the kind of person you would like your child to become.
Rating:
Summary: consider the source...
Review: Please consider the source of the advice to spank before deciding it's in your child's best interest: Dr. Dobson heads "Focus on the Family" a group bent on, among the usual "family values" things, fighting against homosexuality. And I'm not talking about expressing his religious objection (something he certainly has a right to do). I'm talking about actively working to fight against what he deems objectionable, things like basic human rights for all people. He is another in the army of radio personalities who reduce complex issues to slogans and blur that pesky distinction we like to make in the U.S. between my rights and your rights. Basically, he hates homosexuals, so they should be irradicated. I'm not especially surprised that he advocates spanking. Intolerant people regularly turn to violence to solve their problems. If you are a thoughtful individual who has stumbled upon this book looking for advice, and you care about finding a way to raise your child without resorting to beating, then please consider the source. Do a search on the net of Dobson's name. See if you think he is the kind of person you would like your child to become.
Rating:
Summary: An attempt at total control of children.
Review: Scary. This book and it's advice are just scary. their is nothing "healthy" about fear of those you love, or those who love you. parenting should not involve ruling with an iron fist. children's resentment of this, or similarly over controling systems usually comes to a head when they reach the teenage years. Parents have a similar resentment of their "disobediant" child who by nature doesn't want to submit to this type of attempt at total control of their lives and thoughts. When very young, a child should be under a lot of control, parents wipe their butts for them. As they grow older the control by parents should shrink as the child's freedom increases. When the child reaches 18 and becomes an adult there should be no control by and thus no dependance on Parents. This book takes a widely used system of parenting and pushes it to a horrific extreme.
Rating:
Summary: A guild to NON-CHRISTIAN parenting
Review: This book advocates abuse against children. The author, who does not show any knowledge of child developement, teaches parents to turn from the word of Jesus to the evil of violence. If you wish to raise your child/ren as a true Christian I would recommend any book by William and Marth Sears. They are Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus in their parenting advice.
| 
