To Train Up a Child by Michael Pearl (1994, Paperback)

I too am a Christian and support many points this book. However, to claim that this will work for EVERY child, as the book promises, and other extreme opinions of the author restricts me from referring this book. Try Shepherding a Child's Heart instead - excellent and Biblical, but written with more compassion than To Train Up a Dog... I mean, a Child.

I bought this book by reference from a friend. I am a Bible believing Christian and do spank my children when they need it. I was in shock at some of the things i read in this book. While I encourage parents to discipline their children according to the Bible. I would NEVER recommend this book to anyone. I do believe that children need to be trained to obey However, I don't agree with the philosophy that your children are trainable like animals and by some of the stories in the book it appears that that's how these people view children... as trainable animals who poop and pee on command!?? REALLY???!!!!

I was given this book many years ago before I had children and read it and liked it than. However, I sorta forgot about it until a friend loaned a copy to my husband about a month ago. We read it again (we have two children, 34 months and 8 months) and have been experiencing wonderful results! As to their view on infant potty training, we were delighted to find a book that encourages such a method..we've used a similar method (ec)with both of our children and it has worked beautifully.

I have read some reviews suggesting that the Pearls view children only as trainable animals. Do not let such ideas deter the reading of this book! What the Pearls are saying is that if a simple animal like a dog can be taught to obey commands why not teach an intelligent child to do as much? As the mother of a VERY strong willed 2 year old who has no compunction when it comes to safety, the methods taught in the Pearl's book have already been lifesavers for both our sons.

Enjoy!

To Train Up a Child is an excellent, Christian, Bible-based guide to raising a child. At first, I did think it was too extreme, but after reading it, along with the No Greater Joy books, I have found it to be exactly what our family needed.
The keys in the book include:
1. being in fellowship with your children so they will want to obey you.
2. being absolutely consistent, it is better to discipline your child for each infraction of the rules than to only discipline sometimes. Being wishy-washy confuses the child and they will keep disobeying.
3. training the child to obey before they begin to disobey with a rebellious attitude. For instance, tell your 9 month old "don't touch" after placing an interesting object in front of them. Lightly switch their hand (just enough to sting) if they touch. Doing this is much better than having them go to Grandma's not trained to "not touch" and breaking an antique vase and everyone harboring resentment against you and your child.
4. do not follow the world's principles, such as allowing rebellious behavior, whining, etc because "it's just a stage."
5. the book does say that if you are not happy, then you may lower your standards for the child until you are happy. In fact, it suggests at the beginning (especially for older children) that you lower your standards until you and your child can both feel successful at the end of the day. Then, gradually raise your standards for behavior until your child behaves in a manner that you can feel good about.
6. switchings and rebukes must always be done cheerfully. You should never yell at your child or do anything to "break fellowship" with them. I can smile while switching my son and he usually is very cheerful as soon as he decides to comply with my will. He usually does what I say, smiles, and gives me a big hug of his own will.
7. children must be taught not only to obey, but also to have a good attitude about it.

I know there are more "liberal" people out there who will say this is abuse. But, children raised in this manner are not going to be the run aways, pregnant teens and drug users. They will be productive, happy, citizens who have respect for themselves and others. It is the children with permissive, indulgent parents who will end up on the therapist's couch, in the prisons, and on welfare. I'm sure that sounds harsh, but it's the truth.
The book must be followed completely to achieve desired results. Simply switching your child will not work, your child will become resentful. You must show your child how to behave, not being hypocritical and having a good attitude yourself.
If you want to raise, happy, obedient, well-adjusted, productive children, this book can give you a guide on how to do just that.
Also, go to nogreaterjoy.org to find out more about the Pearls, their beliefs, and other resources they have available.

I bought this book at the suggestion of a friend. I have a young child and was having some difficulting with her behavior. This book is about training you child using the Bible as a basis. The training has worked fairly well, especially if I remain consistent. I do not discipline exactly as suggested in this book, but the modifications work well for our family. I found, like the book promises, my child to be much happier since she knows what is expected of her. Some people may be offended by the suggestion of corporal punishment, specifically spanking, but in a permissive soceity this book brings parents good Biblical guidance for disciplining your child.

We have a 4 1/2 yr. old and an 8 yr. old. This book was exactly what we needed. We noticed an almost immediate change in our 4 1/2 yr. old. It is taking longer with our 8 yr. old, but they are both improving drastically!! It really helped me to read what God said and have that in front of me and compare te way I discipline to the way God does and see that he's much more effective than I was even trying to be. A huge thank-you to the Pearl's. I also loved the examples and stories. Go to their website www.nogreaterjoy.org for a free magazine subscription. It's great too. Also this seller is amazing!!

This book tells you how to really discipline your child with effective strategies. These strategies are built upon Christian values and beliefs. Consistancy is definitely the key.
This book also might be considered contraverseal by those "Put them in time-out" people.

Very helpful book, I highly reccomend this book for EVERY parent! I am a first tme parent and I can see the fruits of our labor with our little boy, because of the way we have raised him ( according to the bible) this books is very easy to understand and has great examples of real life everyday situation. Also would reccomend you to go to Nogreaterjoy.org for more help family matters.

This timeless book gives very practical advice for raising your children in an easy-to-read, descriptive format. All of the instructions given in this book are completely Biblically based. Micheal and Debi Pearl have grasped the truths laid out in the original Child-Training Manual (the Bible), and have put it all together here. I, too, have read the Bible and studied child-rearing at length, then was greatly helped by the real-life examples set forth in these pages. The point that was really driven home to my husband and me (and worked WONDERS)-was the consistency in your training...
We have a 3-year-old, and have been following this book's advice for over a year with amazing results. Our joy in parenting grows more each day. She is such a delight to be around, she's so full of joy. We are complimented constantly. She is obedient, but nowhere near 'broken-spirited'-this little dynamite has enough spirit for ten 3-year-olds!
After all, whom better to take advice on child-rearing from, but from the Creator of your children? The Bible is very clear when it comes to raising our children, and gives specific instructions in doing so. These methods will work for every child, in every circumstance, as long as they are carried out lovingly, and in humility. Remember that as you train your child(ren), that they are precious gifts, on loan from our Heavenly Father, and that it is a PRIVILEGE, not a right, to be able to guide them.
We have passed this book along to several other parents, in all different circumstances, and all were highly impressed.

Bottom line-down to earth, real advice for every parent. Highly recommend...

It shares traditional child training advice and events the writer and known of or experienced. I had a copy years ago and lost it in a fire. I have given this book to several new parents. I like how the writer expounds on the need for consistency in training.

I applied the principles in this bok and had 100% positive results. I have read what my Bible says about training but to read real life examples helped me to put these methods into action in my own home. I get lots of compliments on my children when we go in public due to their behavior. Though I did not use their method of potty training, it was interesting. Mnay other moms who read this book agreed with all the concepts except the potty training as an infant section. I do not disagree with the author of the book but my children were already past infancy. I highly recommend this book. The only draw back is seeing another parent with unruly children whom you would love to share this book with. This book will offend some people but if you are a true Bible believer - you will love it!

This book is biblically base, it focuses on training the child with love and teaching the correct behavoir the child should develope and demonstrate, at all times.

This modernly "politically incorrect" book is full of invaluable advice. Training children in love is not done in today's modern "time out" era. Read it with an open mind.
The book was used, but in good condition.

This book is absolutely the best out there on child training... but be prepared to do some changing!! We saw major improvement in our toddler after applying the Pearls' principles for just a few days. Michael Pearl will challenge your current way of discipline and call you to a higher standard... for both your child AND yourself! I definitely recommend this book for Christian parents who truly want to have a God-honoring home and obedient children.

Wish I had this book 10 years ago!!! It is not only well written, but it explains the subject with a lot of care and concern for the child being disciplined! Makes a lot of sense.

As a grandma of teens, my experience with child discipline has been extensive, with every type of personality freom compliant to defiant. The Pearls book is, I believe, a very loving and respectful way to cultivate well behaved children. I have family members who follow the Pearls principles exactly and have raised many well balanced, successful children who are now raising well balanced children of their own. To recognize the worth and intelligence of a baby to be able to obey seems to teach them to respect the worth and intelligence of their parents and all teen rebellion is avoided.

This book really makes my stomach sick. It is abusive and outdated. Who would treat their child that way? Truly heartbreaking. The truly sad part is I have read that people have said, I don't agree with some of the stuff in the book. WHAT?! Then why would you think that any of their information is okay to do to children. If you think JESUS would whip a child, then I am completely stunned.

http://stoptherod.net/ttuac.html

My niece had read the book and used the instruction on her two very small children and it so amazed me at the gentle, loving, yet firm way she TRAINED her children. I bought a copy for myself, read it, and have bought more than 35 copies to give to young mothers. IF they will be consistent with the instruction of the book they will also be amazed.

I've not finished this book yet. I'm still undecided about my opinion. I'm not sure why the author tell the parents what kind and size stick to use on their babies. I'll save my opinion until the books completely read. M. K. J.

Great parenting book. Wish more people would understand the value of training their children. Helps outings with your kids to be much more fun for everyone if they are trained properly at home. And my kids are so much happier than they used to be all the time! Also takes strain off of marriage when kids are trained properly. Whole family unit runs so much more smoothly. Love it! Love it! Love it!

If you have kids you have to get this book! It will change your family tree! Your kids will love and respect you if you follow these step in this book.

I had read this book before but had misplaced my copy so I ordered another to reread. Good Christian values and wish I had known about the book before my children were born. They are 6 and 10 and good boys but very difiant sometimes and about simple things like baths and homework.

I like the many examples provided through out the book and the no-nonsense way the book is written. I purchased this book to better understand the Biblical Principals of Child rearing.

If you are ready to take charge of your child(ren) and you're NOT afraid to spank this book is for you!