Dare To Discipline

Amber is really coming into her personality! I can't figure out yet if I have a strong willed child on my hands. I think if I truly did I would already know it! She just likes to test the limits at times. I want to read the book Strong Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson. For now though I'm reading a book that my mom read when I was about Amber's age called Dare to Discipline by Dr. James Dobson. In fact it is the exact book my mom read, very retro 70's looking. I have enjoyed it so far and have learned a lot from it already. One of my pet peeves with parents is their inconsistency with disciplining. That is how your child becomes spoiled, or rude, or sneeky, or strong willed. Not saying that kids aren't going to be like that and try to be like that but sometimes if the parent hadn't given up or in so easily then they wouldn't be in the pickle that they are in. I have witnessed first hand of mothers saying no to there kids a couple of times and then not 10 min. later are just too tired to deal with it so the child gets away with whatever they are doing. I just pray that I stay consistent with Amber, that it is a habit for me, comes second nature, that I don't even have to think about it.

Ok ok I'll get off my soap box now. There is something I read in the book the other day that really stood out to me and it said, "Immediate reinforcement is the most useful technique available to parents in teaching responsibility to their children. Parents often complain about the irresponsibility of their youngsters, yet they fail to realize that this lack of industriousness has been learned. All human behavior is learned--the desirable and the undesirable responses." I just thought that was very interesting to really think about. So if it is a praise or a correction to Amber I pray that it is immediate.  Like I said I'm not that far into the book, not even half way, and I have learned a lot, so check it out!

Can't you tell that this book is dated :) The new ones look totally different on the front now.