Creative Correction: Extraordinary Ideas for Everyday Discipline (Focus on the Family Book)

Rating:
Summary: Creative and Novel Ideas
Review: This book is innovative and refreshing because it does not attempt to be the ONLY solution. Some of the information I will not try with my kids because as Whelchel very expressly states she does not have THE ONLY ANSWER for correcting your children. Many of the reviews I have read have concentrated on the negative aspects like pepper sauce on the tongue, etc. But she has many examples of positive ways to train your children to respect, honor and love God, parents, siblings, friends, and enemies alike. I loved the section which suggest specific scriptures to share with your children for various topics such as whining, sharing, disrespect, etc. I was a teacher for many years -- a highly decorated and loved one (if I do say so myself) and I learn many things about discipline. The most important being that NO ONE technique will yield the same results with every child. You must know what motivates your children, both positive and negative. Being a parent taught me that once you figure this out you must implement new techniques because soon your children adapt and will not respond positively to what was a Godsend last week. Whelchel delivers the title of her book "CREATIVE" solutions when then standbys begin to fail or maybe don't work in your unique situation.

Rating:
Summary: Not good tips for parenting.
Review: I am a Cajun from Louisiana and I guarohntee that that hot sauce on de tounge do not correct dem youngins one bit. Dey love dat stuff. What am I to do wit dem? Dis Bioque done wrote dis book and she say you hot sauce dem chilluns, but it no work. Poo-yee-yi!

Rating:
Summary: Promoting Child Abuse
Review: What kind of Old Testament punishments can you come up with for your children? Make sure they have Blair's flair for imaginative coersion before you submit your own ideas for her next book, "Why My Kids Hate Me".

I swear, I wouldn't treat animals the way she has evidently treated her own kids. What parents should want is a mutual respect with their children, not give them a life-long fear of their parents and hot sauce. Hold your kid up by the hair? It's a child, not a cat.

What a Moron.

Rating:
Summary: Creative parenting ideas
Review: Not every person will agree with all the information in any given parenting book. There is a huge range of parenting styles out there, and every child is different and will require a different form of discipline.

There are some ideas in Lisa Whelchel's book that I don't agree with and will not be trying with my children, but there are also a lot of really good, practical ideas in the book that I have had much success with.

My favorite chapter included a list of undesirable behaviors (whining, lying, sibling rivalry) and some scriptures that address these behaviors, because I don't want to just change my children's undesirable behavior, I want their hearts to be transformed by God's Word.

Rating:
Summary: Another Manual for Child Abuse
Review: I remember watching Lisa Welchel on Facts of Life and being so impressed with the poise and confidence she seemed to have at such a young age.

I read this book and was absolutely horrified. Is there no end to the "creative" ways one can think of to hurt children?

She talks about hot-saucing as a creative correction method. She actually thinks placing hot sauce on a little child's tongue is a creative way to discipline. Capsaicin is the the substance that makes hot sauce "hot." In it's pure form it can lead to fatal swelling of the tongue and esophagus, or cardiac arrest. While hot sauce does not contain pure capsaicin, children are more sensitive than adults. Children run the risk of severe pain, nausea, blistering, and even corneal damage if the crying child rubs his/her eyes with hot-sauce-laced saliva.

We do not have to place our children in danger in order to parent and discipline. In some states, hot-saucing is automatically considered to be child abuse and is reportable.

Do not buy this book, and I am so disappointed that someone I though was a very creative child star has turned into an advocate for child abuse.

LaVonne Carlson, Ph.D.

Rating:
Summary: Great advice from a loving heart!
Review: This is one the the best and most creative books I have ever read on parenting. I realize that Lisa has taken a lot of abuse over her book and her hot-saucing technique, but after reading her book for myself, I am truly inspired to be a better parent. True, there are some techniques that I would not use on my children, but she makes it very clear in the beginning that not every technique works for every child. You must use her ideas and adjust them to your style and your sitution. This book really got me motivated and I have created my own "Correction Can" for my oldest two and "Happy/Sad Marble Jars" for my youngest. Ignoring your children and/or half-heartedly disciplining them, is much more harmful, than any of her techniques. Her techniques take time and effort and her overall message is loving and spiritual. Don't read this book if you are looking for an easy way to discipline. -- Read this book if you want to make a difference in your children in a lasting, loving way. Lisa is truly an inspiration and her book is fabulous!

Rating:
Summary: Oh Pank Me!
Review: While I would never do the things to my children that this book advocates, I can't help but laugh at all the pseudo-torture techniques that are laid out verbatim.

Like the Marquis de Sade, Lisa Whelchel spins scenario after scenario of ways to make your children mind their elders and pay for their sins. My personal favorites include "saucing" a lying tongue, making your child run barefoot through doggie doo in the backyard, splashing a bucket of ice cold water in a toddler's face and emptying the garbage can on their bedroom floor! Each punishment is also concluded with a psalm (from the toolbox) to further drill it into your child's mind that God = pain. Can't wait to see the next generation of christians this will turn out.

Lisa also informs us of the time she took young son Tucker to a psychologist and how he told about Daddy's spankings. Lisa said she gripped the steering wheel in fear just knowing that Child Protective Services had been called, but when they never showed up she chalked it all up to praying to Jesus really hard. Hmmmmm.

Rating:
Summary: Review
Review: I wouldn't recommend this book. While the author may have enjoyed a career as an actress, she has no credentials as a child psychologist or as a trained specialist in early childhood education. Some of the practices she advocates are dangerous and could easily escalate into child abuse, e.g. placing hot sauce on a child tongue and using corporal punishment to teach small children. I hope that the publishers of this book decide to revise it immediately and take out the section that encourages parents to use physical force and humiliation on their children.

Rating:
Summary: From God's Word to Lisa's Book
Review: After reading the discouraging and negative remarks regarding Lisa Whelchel's "Creative Correction" book, I just had to leave a comment of my own. As an "online friend" of Lisa's for over 4 years, and as someone who has attended two of her Mom Time conferences, I can attest with all my heart that Lisa Whelchel Cauble is a lady who loves and serves the Lord first and her family second. I read Creative Correction even before I had my daughter, and now that I am mothering my 2 1/2 year old, I have found the suggestions in her book (regarding toddlers) very appropriate for disciplining my child in a manner that is consistent with God's Word. We live in a world where parents are afraid to discipline their children, and where the child rules the roost...the Bible clearly states that we are to train up our children in the way they should go, NOT allow our children to train us to suit their every whim and wish. I praise God that He gave Lisa His wisdom when she wrote this book, as well as with the other books she's authored. She is a lady who has not allowed the perils and plights of Hollywood corrupt her...rather, she uses her fame to bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus, and to serve Him with the purest of hearts and the most honorable of intentions. Not only is she my sister in Christ, but she is also a role model to me (and many, many others), as a fellow believer, wife, mother, daughter, author, scrapbooker, home schooler, and speaker. I highly recommend "Creative Correction," and have encouraged many of my friends to read it as well.