Rating: 
Summary: Horrible, blatant child abuse!
Review: I am so sick right now, I am shaking and almost unable to type. I am horrified that parents, using their "God-given" and "Biblical" excuses would even consider using the abusive methods instructed in this book!...Instructions for measuring the diameter of a whip for a 4 month old infant has reduced me to tears to think of the abuse that has resulted from the "wisdom" that these ... Pearls have taken it upon themselves to impart to parents who do not have the confidence to raise their children with respectful and gentle consistancy and love. Has anyone else out there "trained" a dog? I guide, teach, direct, and love my children....
Rating:
Summary: Pathetic book
Review: I wouldn't even rate this book a 1. My mouth is still hanging open after reading it. I am completely appalled that anyone would think the advice (and I use the term loosely) presented in this book is anything but child abuse. Potty training a 3 month old is the most ridiculous and absurd thing I have ever heard in my entire life. Hitting an infant with a 'rod' while tempting them with a toy is positively reprehensible. Don't waste a nickel on this pathetic book. I am so angry that Amazon or ANY bookstore would even want to associate themselves with the authors of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good advice
Review: ...this IS a good book! It does NOT advocate abuse, but parents taking back control, taking back their God given right to parent ther child. We live in a society where no one wants to do ANYTHING that may 'hurt' or displease someone else. What we end up with is a society of fearless, disrespectful children whose parents cannot control them. Children (and parents) who view themselves as victims of everything. These children end up on drugs (prescription) to control them, which doesn't work. This is a back to the basics approach, not a 'how to' on child abuse. It is a Christian and God centered appraoch. We've all seen what happens when God is taken out of the picture, just look at our public schools today. Can't hand out a bible but they have no problem handing out condoms. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.KLYoung
Rating:
Summary: Good advice
Review: Regadless of what the wimp from Chicago above wrote, this IS a good book! It does NOT advocate abuse, but parents taking back control, taking back their God given right to parent ther child. We live in a society where no one wants to do ANYTHING that may 'hurt' or displease someone else. What we end up with is a society of fearless, disrespectful children whose parents cannot control them. Children (and parents) who view themselves as victims of everything. These children end up on drugs (prescription) to control them, which doesn't work. This is a back to the basics approach, not a 'how to' on child abuse. It is a Christian and God centered appraoch. We've all seen what happens when God is taken out of the picture, just look at our public schools today. Can't hand out a bible but they have no problem handing out condoms. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed. KLYoung
Rating:
Summary: Dangerous Book
Review: This book makes me sick whenever I think of it, and it is hard to get it out of your mind once you have read it. I have raised 3 children, now in their 20's, without ever considering physical abuse - that's right, it is abuse! I never felt out of control and my children were not miserable, unhappy, out-of-control children, as the Pearls will lead you to believe will happen if you do not follow their instruction to train your children as you do your stubborn animals. Parents, do not buy into this book. Do not believe that if you do not spank your children with switches, sticks, belts, etc. that you do not believe in the Bible. This seems like a scare tactic to me, just one of many in this book. The Pearls state that if you choose not to use the rod, you are condemning God. We are told that we do not understand God. We are called emotionally weak, insecure and naive, just to name a few of the "titles" we are given if we don't use the rod. How ridicudous can you get?! There is not only one way to discipline. Stop with the extremes, either too harsh or too permissive. I see nothing wrong with one or two swats on the bottom with your hand in either dangerous situations or in the face of deliberate defiance. This is not done just to get the child off my back, as suggested by the Pearl's, but to let the child know this behavior will not be tolerated. Why is "hand swatting" a "release of the parent's own frustration", but 5 to 10 licks with a switch, belt, etc. applied slowly and forcefully is not? Doesn't make sense to most people, I'll bet. I absolutely believe in the Bible; however, I believe "the rod" is "discipline", not a physical weapon. The Pearl's tell you to "choose your instrument" (weapon) "according to the child's size", and then tell which to use. Worse still, they say to "Prove that you are bigger, tougher, ... and are unmoved by his wailing. Defeat him totally. Accept no conditions for surrender." This chapter entitled "Applying the Rod" is a how-to for potentially abusive parents. This book is too dangerous in our society. There are too many over-stressed parents and too many young parents just waiting for someone to tell them it is okay to hit children. The authors say that parents need to "inconvience" themselves to spank their children. It is not an inconvience to spank, it the easy way out. It does not take any imagination to use force, especially with someone smaller than you. It takes true love and patience to "inconveniece" yourself to raise obedient,loving, productive children without breaking them down into robots. Cooperative children are what we should strive for, not chidren who obey so they do not feel the pain of a switch. Let's teach cooperation through respect, not through beatings. It is not only morally wrong, but also very, very dangerous in the society in which we live. Don't give anyone permission to be physical with their children. There is already enough abuse in our world.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book on Child Training !!!!!
Review: This is the best book I've ever read on child training. Yes, I am a Christian and accept the words of the Bible as authoritative and God breathed. I agree with the first reviewer that,if you do not believe in God's word or your bent is on the liberal side of child training, you will not see this book as the true jewel that it is. Michael and Debi Pearl exhort parents to train the heart, to condition behavior and to discipline misbehavior as part of training. Child training by the book (The Bible),is clearly their God given ministry. They do advocate spanking, according to the scripture which clearly advocates the "rod of correction". However you may feel about spanking you must read the entire book before passing judgement, because the Pearls clearly advocate, training in a warm, loving environment. They absolutely encourage love above all else, binding the ties to your children, gaining their respect, loving them and enjoying their company. They encourage you to be a companion and have a strong line of communication with your children. In no way do they train parents to be abusive tyrants. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Discipline decreases as respect and authority are gained. Their methods of training have revolutionized my parenting skills and have made my children happier, more obedient and more willing to please. Their parenting training has encouraged me to be more consistent and accountable in training my children. I highly recommend this book to all parents seeking sound, biblical parenting advice. Why do I think their parenting philosophy works? Because it is sound, it makes sense and it is biblically correct. You can be sure that if it is God's will, it will work.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: Nothing is worse than spanking your child as hard as you can and not getting results. We LOVED this book: maintain fellowship with your child, spank less, and get total obedience. The proof is in the pudding and lots of children are less than tolerable to be around, but if they have been gently trained-there will be no greater joy in your home!
Rating:
Summary: How can anyone follow the "advice" in this book?
Review: This book advocates hitting babies with a switch. I am amazed that anyone would spend money on this [stuff], much less follow the "advice" of a clearly [disturbed] man. If I EVER see anyone actually treating a child in this manner, I intend to call the police.
Rating:
Summary: This book advocates outright abuse
Review: After reviewing this book, I suddenly felt an intense need to shower and have this piece of trash out of my home. This book and it's author are not only sick, but advocating the worst kind of mental and physical abuse of small children. To hit a bright and inquisitive 4 MONTH old for trying to crawl up the stairs?? To put a toddler in a situation where their natural curiosity is piqued by an item they are told not to touch and then hitting them when their impulse overcomes the instruction and they touch the item? I am appalled that Amazon or the publisher would even associate themselves with these monsters, and disappointed as well.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Is Sick
Review: This is the most horrifing book I've ever read. Most of what this man encourages is illegal in most states. He talks about whipping a 4-MONTH old and other monstrous acts of child abuse. God help anyone parent who takes the advice in this book seriously. Their children will have psychological scars that last a lifetime. The author's children are grown...if he had children today and tried to abuse them in this fashion, there is no doubt that CPS would be called.
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