Dr. James Dobson is a well-known psychologist who specializes in advice on parenting.
Focus on the Family, his non-profit ministry provide counseling and resources on marriage, parenting and other family matters; and he has also authored several books on these topics.
Dr. James Dobson is a well-known psychologist and the founder of Focus on the Family, a non-profit ministry that supplies advice and resources on marriage, parenting and other family matters. He describes two types of children: the compliant child - an obedient child that heeds good advice and follows a path to peace; versus the defiant child - who is the exact opposite. He says most children are "in between" those two extremes.
English: James Dobson. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Having given birth to eleven children - all living - all raised except for one - I can state unequivocally that Dr. Dobson is correct. Most children are between the two extremes. However, if you happen to get one that is wholly defiant - my advice is ... PRAY!! Pray you survive them until they reach the age of eighteen and then ... send them on their way!
You see children must realize that one day if they live, they will be the same age as mommy and daddy. If they have children of their own, mommy and daddy will no longer have to explain why the "rules" were so flipping ludicrous!! There are many who claim to have programs that work if you happen to be raising a difficult and trying child. Some of them will even offer you their programs free of charge. Quite frankly, everybody has to wade through those muddy murky waters on their own. What may work for your family could cause chaos and mayhem in another person's home. So tread very cautiously.
I can tell you that as a young parent, reading the Dobson books was extremely helpful. Many who might not be of the Christian persuasion probably steer clear of his writings. But the advice he offers is very generic and can be applied regardless of one's religious beliefs or nationality or ethnicity.
As I stated earlier, my babies are all full grown now, with only one remaining. In five more years, she'll be stepping out on her own. Five years? That's half a blink of eye. Really it is. My oldest child has already passed the over the hill mark. Back in my day, "over the hill" used to be age 30. It seems like it was just yesterday when we were teaching him how to walk. Though the memories are sweet, of a truth, my husband and I look forward to the "empty nest years" with great anticipation.
But getting to my point: If you are a new parent, and mommy and daddy are no available for you to ask them about the "rules", pick up a book by Dr. Dobson. No doubt you can find one or more at your local library or even a church library. If not, his books are available for purchase online.
Content first published at Writedge.com, Mar 22, 2014
