Jennifer P. reviewed on 2/20/2007

I found this book to be very balanced in ideas of training a child up to be obedient, aware of right and wrong, and loving towards others. I understand that there is are a number of people who believe that spanking is child abuse, and this review is not written for those who consider themselves in that camp- as no one person is likely to cause them to reconsider their position. This review is meant for parents, particularly Christian parents, who believe that spanking is a valid and helpful means of teaching a child.

While I have seen many reviews of this book that say that the Pearls advocate child abuse, I found nothing in this book that I believe support these claims. To the contrary, I found NUMEROUS calls for parents to always be joyful, spend much time and energy on their children, always discipline calmly without anger, and to always speak true words of praise - never belittling or yelling. Again and again, it is stressed that if parents carefully and consistently train their children and give them the time and attention that they need, then spanking is a very rare occurance. The main focus of the book is on building relationships, sharing the examples and calls to discipline using "the rod" that are in the Bible, how parents can train their children to obedience, and examples of how to calmly discipline using the rod when the situation warrants.

For any who might be interested in these topics, my advice is to read the book first- and then form an opinion. I had read many, many reviews on this book before I ever read it. To some extent, I believe that it colored my ideas of what I would find in this book, and improperly so. It seems far wiser to withhold judgement until the book has read, and then it gives parents the opportunity to reason together on a very controversial topic. :o )

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