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Summary: Love and Discipline go Hand-in-Hand
Review: This book shows an EXCELLENT balance of love and discipline. "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Prov. 22:15
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Summary: Frightening guy with frightening ideas
Review: I find it very interesting that so many people who like this book mention Jesus. Let me ask you where in the New Testament does it imply that Jesus would treat his children (if he had any) with anything but gentleness, love, and respect? ... Just because a parent doesn't spank or yell doesn't mean they don't discipline. Don't mix up the two. I certainly wouldn't want my children afraid of me like I was of my father.
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Summary: Take it from someone who was raised by these principles.
Review: I was raised by the principles that Dr. Dobson advertises in his Dare to Discipline books. My parents followed his instructions almost to the letter. And did it make me a better person? NO! I hate my parents. I hated my childhood. Far from their hitting me reassuring me that they loved me, I feared my parents and constantly thought of getting away from them any way I knew how--including suicide. I moved out of my house the day I turned eighteen (although they stopped hitting me, at Dobson's advice, around twelve) and haven't seen them since. If I can ever get up the courage to have children myself--and I would NEVER hurt them--my parents won't be allowed near them. Take it from somone who was raised according to Dobson's punative principles: your children will NOT love you if you treat them the way Dobson recommends; they'll fear and resent you and you'll be lucky if they trust you enough to let you see your own grandchildren when they're grown.
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Summary: An Alternative: Families where Grace is in Place
Review: Having been raised by parents who strongly believed in creating a Dare to Discipline environment, I can only say it was refreshing to read an alternative (dare I say "more Christian"! ) approach to raising children. For those who want to read a kinder, gentler, yet just as effective view, read "Families where Grace is in Place" by Jeff VanVonderen.
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Summary: This is the BEST parenting tool you can have!!!
Review: I LOVE this book! Dr. Dobson is the only truly courageous expert out there to come out and tell what our children need! ... He teaches to discipline for direct defiance, not for any little thing. He is not advocating child abuse. He states a million times that he's completely against child abuse. He recommends that you discipline when the child defies your authority and then go to them and share with them your love and understanding and turn it into a great teaching lesson. ... Every child needs boundaries and limits and they even crave it. My parents read this book when I was young and I am proud of the way they raised my siblings and I. I received several swats on the butt when I was acting really horrible and believe me, I deserved it. It has not done anything to hinder my self-esteem or my love for my parents. Please read this book if you would like to have respectful children who you share a close personal relationship with.
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Summary: Sentimental Claptrap
Review: There have ALWAYS been parents who use physical punishment and there still are. There have ALWAYS been parents who use other forms of discipline without physical punishment. Many of our grandparents and great-grandparents were never struck. It is sentimental nonsense to say that "most of our nation's elderly" grew up with corporal punishment, but turned out better than people today. Children of the depression era knew where they fit in in the "family economy" and knew they were important, but they played a supporting role in their families. Children today are often treated like little potentates around whom the family revolves. This is a change in the family structure and is unrelated to the frequency of physical punishment. There have always been cruel and violent people, and their parents were often not good parents. They did not tend to their children, have high expectations of them, and teach them appropriate behavior. Many of them hit their children as a quick solution to discipline problems or as an outlet for their anger. (Seldom does ANYONE use physical punishment in a detached way with no emotion, merely as a method, as the author suggests.) Rather than view the past through rose colored glasses we should acknowledge that we are raising children better and better with each generation. Those sassy American children are growing up to be innovative and imaginative parents, workers and leaders, as their spirit has not been beaten out of them, but has been molded into acceptable avenues by parents who work hard at parenting, treating their children as people, worthy of respect. WE DO NOT OWN OUR CHILDREN! Physical punishment is a quick and ineffective copout for the unimaginative and the lazy, and most parents sense this even at their most infuriated, and do the hard work of disciplining without violence.
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Summary: Great book on loving discipline
Review: After actually reading the entire book, it is clear that Dr. Dobson promotes a loving discipline that allows children to feel loved and accepted with a perfect combination of freedom and safety. What I like most about this book is its focus on nurturing imperfect yet cooperative and loving children. It amazes me that some people actually believe this book promotes abuse and harsh treatment of children. ... This book is for those people who really care for their children and their future. It is a perfect book that mixes common sense with sound professional advice based on years of research and experience. It is true that Dr. Dobson is not against corporal punishment. He stresses the appropriate use of it in limited circumstances. It is refreshing to read a book that is well balanced in this way. He resists the temptation to be cave in to the political correctness idea of no spanking, yet he draws the line and openly rebukes those who use corporal punishment as the chief way to discipline. If you are looking for a well balanced approach on discipline that focuses on love, nurturance, communication, and responsibility; this book is a must!
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Summary: Not enough discipline tips and too much personal agenda
Review: The book was touted as a guide for teachers and parents who are having discipline troubles or who are interested in learning about proper discipline. While there were some interesting tips and case studies, the book, overall, ignored teachers (which is why I read the book in the first place) and focused on parents. Moreover, in the Discipline in Morality Chapter, The author spouts right wing rhetoric and completely undermines any good advice that was offered in the first half of the book. I thought there was little place in a discipline book for this type of preaching. The book is short, not comprehensive, and at points, offensive when the preaching begins.
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Summary: fantastic book
Review: Fantastic. Fantastic. Every parent should have a copy. It is very balanced and is so full of common sense.For too long the liberals have led the day.True love of our kids involves disciplining them.
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Summary: Good book for those who want to produce real children.
Review: This is an excellent book for those who want to bring up real children, and produce responsible adults. It is not for people who want to contribute bratty self-serving people to this world. Dr. Dobson brings up positive reinforcement, and suggests using corporal punishment for willfull disobedience. Some people shudder at the thought of using corporal punishment. They should take into consideration that most of our nation's elderly were brought up with that type of dicipline. Oddly enough their generation seemed to tackle its social problems with style. These people did not resort to selling drugs during The Great Depression. Hmmm go figure: these are the people who were raised with corporal punishment.... Maybe Dr. Dobson HAS a point.
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