Customer Reviews

Parenting by The Book: Biblical Wisdom for Raising Your Child

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

First of all, it is very clear that most, if not all, of the 1 star reviewers either did not read this book or are just John Rosemond haters who assume his books do nothing but condone spanking. This could not be farther from the truth. If you are considering buying this book and don't know anything about John Rosemond, then visit his website: www.rosemond.com. If you look under the "About John" section, there is a position statement on spanking. READ IT if that is of concern to you. Then you will see how full of baloney these people are who are spitting venom at him because he respects the right of parents to discipline as they see fit.
I thought this was a well-written book that brought to light many of the problems with the post-modern psychological parenting model. One need not look too far to see frustrated parents running ragged because of out-of-control children. Is it that difficult to admit that children are generally ill-mannered these days with little to no respect for authority? That being said, isn't it a good thing to find someone who offers an alternative if a family feels they need one?
If you don't like John Rosemond, then parent your children as you see fit and don't read his books. But why should you try to persuade someone to not check something out that might really help their family just because you have an agenda? I am raising two children, and I find that when I apply Rosemond's advice, I discipline calmly and I stay in control. I'm guessing that most child-abusers do the exact opposite: They LOSE control. That is something Rosemond tries to help parents keep from doing.
So I personally recommend this book to those who are frustrated with their current parenting philosophy and want to make a change. But if you are an attachment parent, then don't read it. You won't find what you're looking for here. It's as simple as that.

This is an absolutely wonderful book that produced results in my home within 2 days! The other reviewers expressed that Dr. Rosemond is advocating spanking and child abuse! He clearly states that "I am not advocating spanking" so I do not know what book these folks read but it wasnt this one. I find that I constantly refer to the term "Post Modern Psychobabble" on a weekly basis. I actually starting reading this book a few weeks before my 6 year old sons teacher expressed her in "professional" opinion that my son was ADHD! My husband and I were blown away by this because she had only known him for 2 months and only had 14 students in her class. 5 of the students were "diagnosed" by her as ADHD. When we told her that she was wrong and that she needed to get a hold of her classroom and show authority when dealing with my child she agreed to try. By the end of the school year, she came to me and apologized and said that after we pointed out to her that he was trying to push her buttons and only needed her to act in an authoritave way with him that she saw nothing but wonderful behavior from him. You see, he has never been a behaviorial problem for any other teacher nor for us at home because we apply the principles of respect for God, Family and community. The funny thing is that one of the reasons she based her "diagnosis" was the fact the at Art time he became disruptive because he does not like art (none of us in the family are artistic), however, I told her that with his love of reading she should give him a book on Van Gogh or something of the sort. She followed suit and realized that he has a great ammount of art appreciation. You see, we as a society have decided that the over stressed teachers must be right and a majority of us tend to run out and put our children on some sort of medication for fear of what people will think of us and our children. I write this review specifically for those parents who question those who suggest your child has ADD or ADHD. I am not saying there are children who dont need meds, but if you are in the slightest of doubt, please purchase and read this book and give it a few months of its applications, you may see a difference in your child/or teacher. Make sure that you stand up for your children, teachers and administrators are not the authority, God is!

Sorry that so many other reviewers didn't take time to actually read this book. Or perhaps it's that they are offended by what God says. The Bible says many will turn away from wisdom and listen to others say just what they want to hear. Read the book - and the Bible. Get the facts. (Lost one star because he tends to go on long about some issues I thought he could have taken less time on.)
BTW, I, too, was lovingly disciplined as a child (in the 60s no less!) by kind, caring parents who spanked me when needed (not too often), then followed up with hugs and a good discussion about what I'd done wrong and what I could do to avoid same in the future. I love them and appreciate them for it today. Abuse is not discipline, and discipline is not abuse. Love protects, sometimes by discipline. Fear or rejection leads many parents to abuse their children by letting them run wild. Those children learn only that mom and dad are weak and afraid of them. Children want guidelines and proof that their parents care enough to follow through with discipline if rules are broken. Too-soft parents lead to "ADHD" afflicted chilren with behavioral problems.

I don't get where the people who are trying to get all forms of corporal punishment outlawed are coming from. Each child is different, and a good parent can parent to the child rather than according to someone's government-mandated formula. This book talks about parenting to the child rather than a formula, using Christian ethics as a base.

'Control freak' is a title that belongs more to the people who are working hard to get parental rights legislated away because they can't stand anyone disagreeing with them and wish to see their vision become the only vision, and in the process give the government absolute power over personal decisions.

"Stop, or I'll say 'stop' again!" was funny in Monty Python because of the absurdity and uselessness of it. If corporal punishment were so evil in every case, why is it that all the generations that grew up under it did not have to fear being stabbed or shot in school, but the current generation of "untouchables" is more sociopathic than anything ever seen before? That kind of pokes holes in the idea that corporal punishment teaches violence. If that were true, you would see the current crop of youngsters being the most peaceable in history, and everyone born before the 1980's being sociopaths. But yet look around us...

Much wisdom for raising healthy kids/grandkids; shows the need to go back to THE Book and not all of today's pop philosophy. Highly recommended to any parent.

This has to be the best book I've read on parenting. It is a logical, common sense approach, based on wisdom and direction from the Bible, which has beeen tried and tested for generations. As the author explains, if the new and enlightened method of modern pschology is so much better, why the dramatic rise in behavioral and emotional problems among children and teens? Why are kids dealing with behaviorial and emotional issues that did not even exist 50 years ago? This book takes the mystery and unrealistic expectation from parents to magicaly shape their childrens fragile self esteem. Because we are told by modern psycology, that if we screw that one up, our children will be scarred for life, drop out of school and enter a life of crime. Interestingly enough, he points out that incarcerated criminals as a group, consistantly test highest for self esteem compared to the rest of us. the Truth is the Truth, no matter how much a new method tries to say other wise, and this book pionts us back to the Truth.

I found this book very helpful, If applied right there is no harm done and the child will look up to you. If applied wrong yes there could be damage that is why you need to use the Lord in your life also and prayer. This book helped me so much, and in applying all that was taught I found out there were some disorders in one of my children, Praise God! for directing us to this book to help us to understand the ways of the Lord, better. You have to do the work! Not just spank the child! You have to use The ways of the Lord, not just throw out punishment! God will follow through if you follow him. NO one is perfect and we all make mistakes, I think this was a awesome book and now I have older children that want this book also so I am ordering it for my older children that have children. Thanks John Rosemond for this book! Dawn D

What an eye opener! As a mother and a teacher, I have seen the effects of a "child centered" home. As we stray further and further away from God's Word, families/societies across the world are suffering the consequences. Parents - if you are worn out, full of guilt, or just at a loss as to how to raise your child the way God intended - read this book!!!

I find it interesting that every single one of the 1 star reviews, save one, occur in early June. Perhaps there was an event, such as a debate (hint, hint) with which these individuals disagreed and they felt compelled to come here and defame John Rosemond, all simultaneously.

These people have clearly not read the book or listened to what Rosemond has to say about spanking, or pretty much any other parenting related topic. It's unfortunate and quite disingenuous that the petty response is to come and give a "review" of a book that you have not even read. I have in fact read John's book, and agree with his non-violent ideology, and can't recall anywhere where he states that spanking is the only solution for child rearing problems.

I can only speak from my own experience raising two sons with very different personalities. My husband and I read this book when it was first published and have applied its principles ever since. I found the book empowering, enlightening, and very funny. My overall understanding is that children need their parents to be wise, benevolent, and loving LEADERS - NOT FRIENDS. Additionally, I learned that even children in the same family need to be raised differently - what works for one may not work for another - some (usually the more headstrong) need definite boundaries to feel secure. To follow is a conversation my younger, formerly wild, son and I had about a year ago. After he and I had observed a younger child misbehaving horribly the previous evening at an event, my ten-year-old brought up the situation out of the blue the next day. The conversation went something like this: Son - "That kid was acting really bad last night." Mom - "Yes, he was." Son - "I used to act that way sometimes, didn't I?" Mom - "Yes, you did. That's why I was so hard on you. I didn't want you to grow up to be a jerk." Pause. Son - "Thanks for being hard on me." Big hug. It was a good day. Thank you, thank you, thank you, John Rosemond!