When I was studying about childbirth and childrearing before my daughter was born, attachment parenting just seemed like the way to do it. I just couldn’t fathom having a routine for routines sake or letting a small baby “cry it out.” Where AP is NOT for me is the discipline. I feel like we expect better obedience from dogs than children. I never felt that AP’s gentle discipline was right for us. I just don’t see where you can reason with a 9 month old but either way, they need to learn to obey.
That is one of the things that prompted me to purchase Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime by Dr. Ray Guerendi. Well that and the fact that he makes perfect sense on the radio. Nothing to do with the fact that my little, perfect, can take her anywhere daughter seemed to have a will of her own. Nope, nothing at all to do with THAT!
Dr. Ray’s books are 75% common sense and 25% sense of humor. His examples and quips are just as entertaining and informative as you hear on the radio. Like his discipline philosophy says; it takes consistency and repetition to make children behave. Sometimes he shares a funny method of discipline, sometimes its a story taken to ludicrous extremes, but it always has the same message: Be consistent, be consistent, be consistent. I guess we need consistency to get it, too :).
While I *think* Dr. Ray is Catholic, I don’t know that for sure, but there is nothing in his books that goes against what you would consider Catholic teaching and in fact, addresses the whole spare the rod, spoil the child debate (on page 104, if you were wondering). He discusses problems ranging from petty misbehavior, whinning, and tattling to bullying, fighting, chores and underachievement in school.
Having trouble getting something to work? Go pick up Dr. Ray’s book. You will find new consequences, new tools, support and some much needed lightheartedness surrounding the whole deal. The sooner you start, the easier it will be!
You can purchase this book here.
I wrote this review of Discipline That Lasts A Lifetime for the Tiber River Blogger Review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods. For more information and to purchase, please visit Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.
Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.
Amanda
23 November 2009 at 6:06 AM (14 years ago)We were just talking about his book last night. I am thinking about buying it as I forsee problems with the whole “gentle discipline”, as you put it, and our very strong willed little Belle. I think too-gentle discipline will probably just lead to her getting her way all the time from what I can see of her personality so far. 🙂
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