Dr. Dobson's Parenting Advice is Proven

Dr. James Dobson is a well-known psychologist who specializes in advice on parenting (especially for new parents).

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.

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 mommie 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 an 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.

English: James Dobson. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Entertainment and Leisure : Recommended Video Games

I don't play video games and have never played. But I have read an article titled on Who Invented Video Games?  My generation thought board games were all the rage. My children, on the other hand, are video game enthusiasts. They can play all day and all night. Apparently, the games are highly addictive.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Amazon Instant Videos

Why do parents let their kids spend so much time participating in this type of activity? Can't speak for other parents, but for me, it's because they're easy to find that way.

There used to be a commercial that came on television late at night and the voice would say something to the effect: “It's 3 AM. Parents, do you know where your children are?”

I'm thinking: “Yes! Yes I do!!”
They could be out robbing a convenience store. But oh no! They're role-playing. One of them is Lara Croft, and right at the moment, she's doing whatever it takes to survive on a mysterious island among hostile inhabitants.  So much for my parenting skills.

Tomb Raider (by Square Enix) is one of the many games my kids have in their VG library. Noticed it only because I enjoyed the watching the movies which starred Angelina Jolie and because one day my daughter was playing and Ms. Croft kept getting killed over and over and over. I'm like: “Child! You need to up your survival skills!” Don't know how to play this game, but do know Lara Croft is a survivor! Whatever my daughter was doing she wasn't doing it right! This game has won over 40 awards. That's probably a good indicator of its popularity. Rated M by ERSB, which means among other things it has intense violence, and not suitable for kids under the age of 17.

With respect to games for kids under the age of 17, three have been suggested by my 13-year-old. (NOTE TO READER: Her response to a question about “Favorite Video Games” was previously published in an online forum at Postloop Portal.  Reposted here because months before her suggestions were shared at the portal, she had been advising me to write an article or a blog entry about video games.  The other stuff I write about is really boring, she says.  Her honest criticism and constructive input are very much appreciated. :) )

All single player games. (Because she says multi-player VGs make her feel crowded.)

1) Final Fantasy X – the characters are likable; story and art graphics are fantastic!

2) Final Fantasy VII - Crisis Core – the theme of the game is really cool! Plus Aerith and Zach are great characters

3) Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep – like the fact that FF characters and Disney characters are mixed together. (No doubt, the business geniuses behind this collaborative effort feel the same way.)

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