I am a child psychologist with expertise in how to effectively discipline children so that they can learn to be respectful, cooperative, and caring individuals. About ten years ago, I posted a review of this book, recommending that parents use other, more effective parenting approaches. I was contacted by Dr. Dobson's wife via email and she informed me that I was not a Christian because I had posted a critical review. This told me that I'd done the right thing, trying to steer parents toward a different, more respectful resource.

For parents in search of a Christian parenting resource, I would suggest 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents.

Parenting is no joke. It's really difficult and I wish all of you the best in finding the guidance that you and your children need.

I am a huge fan of Dr. Dobson, and it was pretty clear from the day I brought my son home from the hospital that I was going to have to read this book! I love how he had different sections for the different stages of a child's life. I also enjoyed the stories that he integrated into the different sections as examples. I found them humorous and could relate to them. I also like that he advises parents to be firm disciplinarians while at the same time loving their child. Contrary to what others may say, his advise is NOT to spank, spank, spank. He does give specific reasons when spanking would be appropriate, and specific instances where it would not be appropriate. And he does not believe that every act of defiance deserves corpal punishment. I particularly enjoyed reading the chapter "Protecting the Spirit" where he discusses using care with our words. He makes the point that children can have lifelong damage with something that we shouldn't have said and that we (hopefully) immediately regret. I couldn't agree more and I am so grateful for this book.

This book touches on the very personal, emotional and controversial topic of child spanking. Naturally there are many supporters and opponents. The people who dislike spanking tend to ignore the sound and Biblically correct discipline theories, and jump to condemn Dobson's entire book. I personally grew up in a family who my parents spanked, all the way to my teenage years. It was no doubt painful and humiliating experience, and at one point I vowed not to spank my own children. It's not until I became a Christian and a parent myself that I understood how proper, consistent, swift and balanced discipline means in rearing children. There is a way to do discipline with love not anger. Children are beautiful, but they are not as innocent as they might seem. Where does a 18 month old learn to push and hit even when he/she is growing up in a loving family? They are born with all the intelligence/brain they're ever going to have, and all the sins and virtues they are going to have. We need to stop being irrational but sensible in being strong parents. If we don't protect our children not only from outward evils but also inward self-destructiveness, that's doing them a terrible disservice.

Our daughter is a very happy and high-energy 2-year old who shows very little of the terrible-2 syndrome. We only spank her when there is a safety issue or she is showing open defiance. For a girl who is in high gear all day long, I don't see how time-out will work for her. We started discipline before she turned 1, with gentle guidance and occasional spanking on the leg or bottom. We always make sure we explain to her before and after, and tell her how much we love her but we can't let her continue that behavior. It has worked wonders. For those parents who think their kids are too young to understand discipline, you're just looking for excuse for yourself to avoid the unpleasant part of being a parent. They won't understand if you never teach them. It's not time to be a friend with them when they are young. Toddlers need parents, not friends. They can make friends in many places but they only have 1 mom and dad. I don't want to wait til they are teenagers and be despised by my own children because they think I never try hard enough to lead them.

I appreciate Dr. Dobson's insight into children. This book has absolutely helped me not to be a "screamer" anymore and to be a more confident parent to my two-year-old. He is not as strong willed as some of the examples in the book, but my husband and I can definitely already see a positive difference in his behavior. Even if your children aren't all that strong willed, I'm sure they enjoy testing the boundaries. Please, please read this book.

We live in the age of fakery, snake oil salesmen exalted to near godhood, and the age of dread and imminent destruction that so far surpasses Dobson's fabled age of rebellion (the 1960's) - so far and so wide - that comparisons would be absurd.

I was in the UK recently and unusually heard some of the people from "focus on the family" speak about the education of adolescents. I should mention that I have six children. At the end of that program I was in tears, and very angry. Whatever it is that was spoken, whoever hosted the program, I don't suppose you would ever guess at what human trouble lies behind this; what hurt and tears and abandonment.

How lucky I am that my parents didn't take this book on board.

I am astonished more than anything else at Dobson's obvious, flagrant, and in-your-face lack of a fear of God. The instances of his "ministry" in this book make heartrending reading; I tried to read the book, but ended up having to be consoled by my wife (a good place to get consolation believe me).

This book and it's predecessor at least, have been around for a long time. Dobson probably doesn't realize this, but a whole generation of children, now men and women, who know the Lord, are beginning to speak about the books written by Dobson, stolen childhoods, tragic, broken relationships, or worse, never existent relationships with parents who ended up themselves, broken, confused, and alienated.

David Wilkerson spoke once of a generation of CHRISTIAN parents who would be horribly and uniquely separated from their children and grandchildren; he didn't mention Dobson, but the fruit of this deeply heretical and unbiblical ministry is now starting to appear and fulfilling those words, spoken long ago with heartbreaking precision. What a bitter, bitter harvest.

Dobson's involvement with this subject is tragic for many reasons, but one of those chief in my mind is his involvements far away; with organisations NOT around "focus on the family" but infintely more shadowy; and well concealed people whose names are not generally known, and if they are known, not spoken of in the light.

I beg you reader, in the depths of mercy and graciousness, find out FOR YOURSELF what it is that I mean.

Light. What a marvellous thing, and how little there is of it in this book. Dobson's usual maneuvers, centred around trying to fake a biblical argument for all manner of things which have no bearing whatsoever on child rearing, are even more transparent in this book than in his previous paperbacks; even "dare to discipline".

Only a few readers will spot the agendas behind all of this, and most of them won't be reading this; It's easy to preach to the choir, but all I can say in the strongest possible terms (ask me if you like) is BEWARE.

Beware of a lonely old age where your kids (if they survive you at all) never phone, never call, never see you and have bad dreams about you that they that they tell their spouses about but they won't tell you.

Welcome to family reunions which disperse far too fast and leave thousands of questions unanswered.

Don't expect to see your grandchildren; unless it's in other people's photo albums. Be aware that those grandchildren will not recognise you, and if they do, you won't like what you seen in their eyes.

Dobsons (paradoxical) appalling lack of experience in relationships has spawned a thousand, yeah, tens of thousands of miserable, frangible marriages, and produced unhappy, estranged or even dead children (yes, I mean what I just said, you have no idea), and fostered great ignorance of the Bible and in the world in general, unbelief.

Where is Christ in all of this?

Where indeed. Beating kids is one thing (I won't), but I will come out and say that it's not by any means the worst thing that can happen; we are all fallable. But the thing that breaks your heart is the feeling that behind this, enthroned in gothic splendour is NOT the King Of Glory, but quite another harsh master, cruel as death, who demands children; LOTS of children.

The words of our Saviour, "suffer little children to come unto me" were spoken in the breath of the gentlest compassion.

But not here; there may be those words, or the form of them; but they are uttered with sulphurous venom, and I beg you, don't send your children there.

Have a heart.

We live in the age of fakery, snake oil salesmen exalted to near godhood, and the age of dread and imminent destruction that so far surpasses Dobson's fabled age of rebellion (the 1960's) - so far and so wide - that comparisons would be absurd.

I was in the UK recently and unusually heard some of the people from "focus on the family" speak about the education of adolescents. I should mention that I have six children. At the end of that program I was in tears, and very angry. Whatever it is that was spoken, whoever hosted the program, I don't supose you would ever guess at what lies behind this; what hurt and tears and the feelings of being horribly alone and yes, abandoned.

I am astonished more than anything else at Dobson's obvious, flagrant, and in-your-face lack of a fear of God. The instances of his "ministry" in this book make heartrending reading; I tried to read the book, but ended up having to be consoled by my wife (a good place to get consolation believe me).

This book and it's predecessor at least, have been around for a long time. Dobson probably doesn't realize this, but a whole generation of children, now men and women, who know the Lord, are beginning to speak about the books written by Dobson, stolen childhoods, tragic, broken relationships, or worse, never existent relationships with parents who ended up themselves, broken, confused, and alienated.

David Wilkerson spoke once of a generation of CHRISTIAN parents who would be horribly and uniquely separated from their children and grandchildren; he didn't mention Dobson, but the fruit of this deeply heretical and unbiblical ministry is now starting to appear and fulfilling those words, spoken long ago with heartbreaking precision. What a bitter, bitter harvest.

Dobson's involvement with this subject is tragic for many reasons, but one of those chief in my mind is his involvements far away; with organisations NOT around "focus on the family" but infintely more shadowy; and well concealed people whose names are not generally known, and if they are known, not spoken of in the light.

I beg you reader, in the depths of mercy and graciousness, find out FOR YOURSELF what it is that I mean.

Light. What a marvellous thing, and how little there is of it in this book. Dobson's usual maneuvers, centred around trying to fake a biblical argument for all manner of things which have no bearing whatsoever on child rearing, are even more transparent in this book than in his previous paperbacks; even "dare to discipline".

Only a few readers will spot the agendas behind all of this, and most of them won't be reading this; It's easy to preach to the choir, but all I can say in the strongest possible terms (ask me if you like) is BEWARE.

Beware of a lonely old age where your kids (if they survive you at all) never phone, never call, never see you and have bad dreams about you that they that they tell their spouses about but they won't tell you.

Welcome to family reunions which disperse far too fast and leave thousands of questions unanswered.

Don't expect to see your grandchildren; unless it's in other people's photo albums. Be aware that those grandchildren will not recognise you, and if they do, you won't like what you seen in their eyes.

Dobsons (paradoxical) appalling lack of experience in relationships has spawned a thousand, yeah, tens of thousands of miserable, frangible marriages, and produced unhappy, estranged or even dead children (yes, I mean what I just said, you have no idea), and fostered great ignorance of the Bible and in the world in general, unbelief.

Where is Christ in all of this?

Where indeed. Beating kids is one thing (I won't), but I will come out and say that it's not by any means the worst thing that can happen; we are all fallable. But the thing that breaks your heart is the feeling that behind this, enthroned in gothic splendour is NOT the King Of Glory, but quite another harsh master, cruel as death, who demands children; LOTS of children.

The words of our Saviour, "suffer little children to come unto me" were spoken in the breath of the gentlest compassion.

But not here; there may be those words, or the form of them; but they are uttered with sulphurous venom, and I beg you, don't send your children there.

Have a heart.

I have a 3 year old that I have had trouble dealing with from the time she was born. She held her breath out of anger when the nurse gave her a bath and put that tiny shirt on her just one hour after birth. She cried for the first 4 months from a combination of colic and wanting to be able to do whatever she wanted to do, like walk. I thought after she learned to roll, then, sit, then crawl, then walk, etc that she would be less cranky; well that didn't happen. She continues to be fussy, demanding, and insists on getting her own way. She wants to control the people in her world. Discipline and punishment have been difficult and have yielded little results; at home and at preschool. I have suspected for some time that she is strong willed and her teacher this week, after a full week of time outs from not listening, stated she did not know what to do with my daughter. I have read Dr. Dobson's book. It has great insight into how these children think. I don't fully understand how they think because I do not think that way. Dr Dobson opened my eyes on some issues and brought to my attention the fact that my daughter seriously needs direction, before her teen years. I liked the book, but wish he had been more specific and listed more detailed ideas/tools to use when punishing/disciplining besides spanking. I am not opposed to spanking but I find most discipline, including spanking, timeouts, taking privileges away, and offering rewards, do not work for my daughter. My daughter wants to do what she wants to do and that is the bottom line for her. This book has opened the door for me into her world and I have since been researching the subject online and have ordered 2 more books to help teach me how to deal with her. All the opponents to spanking, that I have read, use inflammatory words to get their point across. I was spanked as a child. I very vaguely remember maybe one of them. What I found harmful and hurtful to me was the yelling, screaming, being put down, controlled, belittled, and being worried when I would have to endure any of those things again; not being spanked. I can understand their passion, but controlled spanking needs to be put into perspective. All children need to be punished differently according to their temperament.

This book by Dr. Dobson is another great read from a godly expert. I appreciated his no-nonsense approach to correction and his specific instructions for dealing with childhood behaviors. My almost-2 year old son has been throwing tantrums and displaying typical "terrible 2's" behavior. Dr. Dobson showed me how to deal with it in firmness and in love. Dr. Dobson always directs the reader back to God's love for us, and the connection between a parent's love for his child and God's love for us. An excellent read!

First, before purchasing the book, don't be surprised when Dr. Dobson throws in his faith/religious beliefs into his parenting style. That is part of being a Christian. Allowing God to direct your actions in every aspect of life. I've read several 1-2 star reviews that don't like that....well, you should have researched the author a little more before purchasing....or read a few more reviews.

Second, MANY of the 1-2 star reviewers forgot the title of the book....The Strong-Willed Child. It seems that they think Dr. D's approaches are to be used with EVERY child. NOT SO!!! When you read the book, keep reminding yourself of the title of the book and what kind of a child his strategies are meant for. You obviously wouldn't use these strategies with your average or compliant child. In all sincerety, I believe that Dr. D's wisdom in the book is flying right over the heads of numerous 1-2 star reviewers who forgot the title of the book while reading or who aren't thinking deeply enough about the things he's trying to teach.

Here's my final note and my disclaimer.....After saying all of the above....no one approach or style works with every strong-willed child; I'm a 6th grade special education teacher....I've got several years of proof. There are however several ingredients that help strong-willed children through to success; many of which do not involve the child directly. I was one of them myself and I had several teachers tell my mother I'd end up in prison; so you can imagine how I must have behaved....well, look how the Lord used my difficulties to strengthen my heart for my profession and Him. There IS hope in Him! Happy reading.

I was given this book by a helpful relative. Please read with a grain of salt - some of the ideas, like hitting a child with a small belt or paddle if they do not stay in bed, and then telling them you love them, are really off the wall. Bedtime is one of the most precious times in the world, and the idea that you would hit a child with anything as you send them off the sleep has to be wrong. We have had to deal with this on occassion and find the "Nanny way" works best, little talk, be firm and put them back in bed.

would not recommend this book to anyone.

Bought this for my daughter and son-in-law. They loved it and have been passing it around to their friends who are looking for good ways to deal with their strong willed children. Even if you don't have a strong willed child, this book will give you some valuable advice, and a couple of chuckles in the process! Recommend anything written by Dr. Dobson.

As a former strong-willed child who was raised by parents who followed Dobson's principles I would have to say I wonder if any of the people who posted negative reviews ever raised a kid or even read the book. I was not even remotely abused when my parents spanked me and I turned into a well behaved straight A student in school. I am now a college graduate and a business marketing professional. My parents established discipline in my life and now I have read this book to deal with my own strong-willed first daughter. Today's world is filled with a bunch of spoiled brat kids who were spared the rod because of parents who have listened to the bunch of nut jobs many of which have never raised kids themselves and have posted negative reviews of this book here on Amazon. People need to wake up and notice that the passive time out corner doesn't work at home or school. There was spanking in the home and at school when I was a kid and we turned out great. Why all of a sudden are Christian parents who love their children lumped in with the minority who really do abuse their kids? There is a big difference and if you don't think so I think you need to get a foster kid who has been abused and let them tell you what real abuse is.

This book was great and if you are a true Bible believing Christian you will enjoy this book. If you are a new age passive shrink... then this book is definitely not for you and you may want to continue watching the super nanny for your out of control kids.


The New Strong-Willed Child

The New Strong-Willed Child Workbook

This book was purchased with the intent of helping our youngest son. We were foundering. He was out of control in kingergarten. Oppositional. Trips to the Principal et al. After reading the book I was disgusted and outraged. Child abuse in the form of "Christian Parenting". This book was quickly placed in the trash...no recycling...I did not want to be responsible for someone else reading it and harming another child.

Our son is slightly autistic. No one knew. It took a professional to diagnose. All we saw was an oppositional "Strong Willed Child" who needed to be conquered. I often wonder how many children are abused because they don't "see" the warning signs/signals and change their behavior. These kids live in a different culture than we "neuro-typical". We, the uneducated, don't understand them, and they certainly don't understand us. Everyone concerned is unhappy, hurt and confused.

A very loving and excellent book is "Transforming the Difficult Child, The Nurtured Heart Approach", by Howard Glasser and Jennifer Easley. It was recommeded by his psychologist.Transforming the Difficult Child The best book on children and parenting I have ever read.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Diane K

Sickening drivel! Comparing children to dogs, and that both need to be beaten! How is this author a doctor in anything????

Basically this book is old school, firm parenting. I found Dr. Dobson's advice very helpful with my one stubborn child. We are less frustrated with each other and we are making improvements in our relationship. Our entire household is happier. Some of the real life examples in the book are drawn out but skip on thru and get to the good stuff. It's worth it!

This is an EXCEPTIONAL book! It has real-world strategies and reasoning behind them. If you are coping with a hard-to-manage kid that argues, fights, doesn't listen, etc. then buy this book today and read it tonight. While it is written from a Christian perspective, people of all faiths will find that the nuts-and-bolts approach of really fixing the problem and improving family life are useful, proven, and will work for them as well.

Great Book! Hallelujia for someone of clout speaking common sense. I just finished the book and I can already see a difference in my 4 yr old. There is A LOT of good advice in the book. I believe in using all techniques available to me to parent well. He made me laugh when he spoke of Wimp Parenting--I've always felt the same! We have a loving Christ centered home, and I've already begun to read this book again from the beginning so I can commit more to memory. From the reviews it looks like if you believe in spanking you'll love it and if you believe in never ever spanking a child you'll hate it because he condones it and has statistics to back him up. There is a lot of other good advice in the book--it is not just spank your kids till they behave and those who read it the way the author intended will understand that. I recommend it highly, and am buying one for my sister-in-law who has a strong willed child of her own.

This author is a horrible, twisted man. It is so sad that people would take his advice. He advocates abusive parenting.

Dobson's authoritarian approach to parenting may get quick fixes in terms of short-term compliance, but over the long run, it is far more likely to result in children who fear and then resent or even hate their parents. Even worse, this parenting approach does not provide children with the skills and experiences they need to develop healthy emotional attachments for future relationships that are positive.

It is truly tragic that Dobson continues to misinterpret religious doctrine about guidance and love from a fear-based perspective that obsesses about corporal punishment, domination, and control over the weak by the powerful. Through his book, he wields what is meant to be a shepard's rod of guidance like a weapon.

Strong-willing children can be raised effectively through authoritative (NOT authoritarian), stuctured, consistent, and nurturing parenting approaches. Readers would be far better off with books such as Adele Faber's and Elaine Mazlish's How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk . This is a very easy-to-read, practical paperback that really brings about quick results. Also far better is Sears' & Sears' The Attachment Parenting Book : A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby and The Discipline Book: How to Have a Better-Behaved Child From Birth to Age Ten, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a Lifetime and Raising Your Spirited Child Rev Ed: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic, and Margot Sunderland's Science of Parenting. For adoptive parents, also see Daniel A. Hughes' Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children, David Cross' & Karyn Purvis' The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family, and Deborah Gray's Nurturing Adoptions: Creating Resilience After Neglect and Trauma, among others.

I have a first born son who is a born leader! This book has been helpful in teaching me how to encourage the positive aspects of his strong-willed nature. I enjoy the Biblical perspective on how to parent effectively. I would highly recommend this to parents of children who are born leaders! Teaching my son to submit to the authority of his parents is the first step in teaching him submission to God. I want to glorify God in all areas of my life, especially in my home as a wife and mother.

I'm a college student now and my parents used this book to raise me. I suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome and will have flashbacks of my mom and dad being so incredibly angry and hitting me so hard my heart felt like it was about to burst. Dobson and every other parent who hits their child- you can call it spanking, whipping, smacking, whatever- should be in jail. My parents would also constantly tell me to stop "being defiant" and when I was a child I didn't have a clue what that meant. I will take my parents money but as soon as I'm independent they can go to hell. Avoid Dobson and go with Dr. Spock

Very interesting to read; we have a strong-willed 2 year old son but he hasn't done anything yet that compares with what most of the situations in this book discuss. I think by reading this and other books by Dr. Dobson and others, we will be better prepared to handle future behaviors. I appreciate the examples he uses and the references he gives. I also like how he uses his own life and experiences to make his points. I especially agree with Dr. Dobson's major point in this book: to dampen the terror of and redirect certain behaviors while not breaking the spirit! Our little's guy's will is what makes him special and dear to us and it's how we go about shaping him that will create in him a well-behaved, productive, pleasant-to-be-with person! Of course, we have to let God lead us, as Dr. Dobson thankfully reminds us.

Summary: How to deal with all the effects of the kind of bad parenting I preach in other books. Self-esteem, adhd, and sibling rivalry are all effects of bad parenting. These aren't descriptive of normal, happenstance human behavior, but the behavior of those children whose essential needs are not met and furthermore needs which are exploited and violated by the kinds of cruelty Mr. Dobson suggests in all his writing. Please read Alice Miller or Charles Whitfield instead. Want to know how to be a better parent? Get some therapy and start finding out how you can change yourself first because you were probably raised badly if you have children like this, all you've done now is recreate it with your children. Get some therapy and deal with your parents, read some Alice Miller, then get some real parenting books that advise you on how to have some freaking empathy. Also, if you want good children, find out what "good" is first! "Good" does not mean convenient and quiet. Good means open, honest, vulnerable, curious, courageous, and most of all integrity. You want children with integrity? Have some integrity yourself! Children learn by example, not bullying.

I had a VERY strong willed, defiant little boy. I consider myself a faithful and devoted Christian who reads and studies the bible regularly.

Benjamin was willful and defiant from the time he was two years old. Some of our Christian friends (not all) decided that Benjamin problem was that he needed more corporal punishment and recommended Dobson's book. (We often were lectured about not sparing the rod). We did spank him on occasion and it did produce the desired temporary effect of submission. I mention "temporary" because he simply considered it a challenge and would revert to former behavior. It became clear that achieving the same result would require continued punishment of increasing severity. At that point, my wife and I decided that we would not spank him again but instead come from a place of unconditional love and show patience.

You know what? The improvement was almost immediate! We were amazed because the answer was so simple and so obvious. When we compete with a child it becomes impossible to express love and affection under stressful circumstances unless we as PARENTS are mature enough to rise above.

Benjamin is six now and has largely outgrown his behavior. Is he still strong willed? Yes, but he is also exceptionally brilliant, creative and shows more leadership for his age than any of his peers. These qualities will serve him in life more than his young age inclination to disobey. Don't sell yourselves or your children short!

While I think most people who read this book will be immediately sidetracked by the author's support of spanking, I would encourage these people to read the book again. Specifically for two reasons:
1. James Dobson does not state that you should spank your child for every act of disobediance. In fact, he states several times in the book that spanking should NOT be used in this way and he outlines very specifically how spanking SHOULD be used. He also states several times that there are many children who will NEVER need a spanking. So everybody jump down off those soap boxes of yours and read the next point...

2. Some of us (myself included) have children who do not respond to creative parenting or setting boundaries with your run-of-the-mill consequences. These are the children who laugh at the thought of time-out and run circles while you are giving them a consequence. These children welcome and even look forward to confrontation. These are strong-willed or willfull children. If you have one of these children, you know there are so many wonderful things about them, but that life can be a string of battles as well. If you have not been fortunate enough to have your parenting abilies tested down to your core and you have more compliant children, please ask around to see if any of your friends have strong-willed children. Then, talk to them and find out how it feels to use every modern parenting strategy in the book (those ones that are guaranteed to work!)and still feel like you are failing your children. Find out how it feels to see how other children behave and respond to these techniques and wonder what you're possibly doing wrong. Please try not to be judgemental of these friends of yours (if you can even get them to talk about their children-they probably know how perfect your own children are). It is a relief to read a book that does not restate the same failed strategies over again. Spanking is such a small part of this book. There is a greater message here. Dobson empowers parents to be parents again. Not negotiators, not doormats, not even friends (however, I believe you will have a life-long friend if you parent with the balance of authority and love he advocates). These strategies apply to many families and I would encourage any reader to keep the greater message in mind.

I would also like to address the many reviews that stated spanking has been scientifically proven to produce unhappy, dysfuctional children and adults. There have been studies done to support both sides of this argument. If you do your reading, you will find this to be a fact. So all of these studies pretty much leave us at square one.:-)

If you are at your wits end, please be sure to read this book. I believe that it can give control back to the parent and actually prevent senseless abuse that often results from a parent's feelings of helplessness, frustration, and exhaustion from parenting a willfull child.

This book was easy to read and full of excellent advice. I noticed when I read the earlier reviews that people either love it or hate it. I think it has practical advice for dealing with strong willed children and I was able to begin applying its principles right away. My son responded well and he is a happy well adjusted 3 year old.

I actually rate this book NO STARS, but the form requires a minimum of 1. I was appalled at some of his ideas! What ever happened to rearing children with LOVE and gentle guidence? My book went right in the circular file! There are much much much better books out there. Skip this one.

I found the book to be very good. I listened to it on CD's and I believe there were 5. The first two CD's focused quite a bit on religion, and I'm Jewish. The rest of the book focused on the issues at hand on dealing with a very young strong willed child, through the teen years.

I found it to be very informative with good suggestions and alturnitives. It also made me realize the degree, or level my child is at. It discusses the mild "strong willed child", to the highest level.

This book was a lifesaver for my husband and I. Our son was rebellious. He would do things that would totally outrage us and we had tried every method that we could think of and that others suggested. Time-outs were absolutely not working for us. It was useless and we were dedicated to it. A friend of mine suggested this book and did warn me that I would have to read the entire book cover to cover to get the point. She also said to take what he says and incorporate it into our own style/atmosphere in our home. It has been GREAT and our son is so much more well-behaved. It has only been a month and he has changed completely. He is still the free-spirited, fun-loving, adorable, happy boy that we've always had, but he just listens now!

I would HIGHLY recommend this book for parents of STRONG WILLED children. If your child isn't strong willed, these techniques may not work for you and may seem harsh. It is the appropriate discipline for strong willed children.

I am a strong Christian. However, this book was way too right wing for me. After ordering it I talked with a counselor about it and she said it is not one that she recommends either.

I ordered this book as a suggestion from a friend because of the start of the "Terrible Two's" with my son. I tell you what is has been a life and sanity saver in my house. I was thinking at first my son might even have behavioral issues compared to others children the same age but the description of the "stong willed child" fits him to a tee. Dr. Dobson was so encouraging and enlighting, I really am blessed to have been given this suggestion.

Yet again, Dobson provides cruel and unChristian advice that goes against everything that every national pediatric, psychological and psychiatric association in the western world says about raising children. I find it hard to believe that Amazon would stock a book that advised men to abuse their wives, yet it sells a book like this that advises parents to abuse their children. If you actually care about the truth instead of trying to find an excuse to do what you wanted to do anyway, have a quick look at what the medical and psychological associations of the world have to say about treating children like this. It amazes me that people who would not dream of ignoring medical advice when their kids have a sore through suddenly think that all doctors are idiots when they warn against this kind of psychological and physical cruelty.

This book has been nothing but a blessing!!!! If you have a strong-willed child GET IT!!

I sent this book and his workbook back. I felt he just rambled and did not get to the point. I got bored at the beginning. I tried other chapters and still could not get the book to work for me. Sorry...

I have a three year old son that has recently coined the term "terrible threes"! My husband and I were at our wits end when we ordered Dobson's book, and because he is such a staple in our home regarding all things family, we purchased it on faith. And while I can say that times are still trying, this book has helped me understand how to place boundaries on his behavior while still being able to foster my son's needs to just be a boy and not crush his spirit or will. The point is to help shape and mold your child's will to bend toward God, NOT crush it so the child is putty and wayward! And this is what Dobson helps the parent do in this book.....understand the behavior, correct the behavior and preserve the will and spirit of the child while effectively bending it toward our Creator! And by the way, NOT ONCE does Dobson advocate ABUSING your child as some of these liberal montessori reviewers have claimed. I speculate they have read the first chapter and stopped, presuming to know everything that followed-obviously NOT the case as you continue reading. Please make a more informed review the next time you should choose to slander someone! This book is for people who live their lives under the blood of Jesus, and I would expect that anyone NOT living under God's authority WOULD have a problem with this book because it is rooted in God's plan for all of us as parents, it does NOT teach how to parent politically correct in this twisted world on earth!

How about writing some parenting tips on dealing with the strong-willed child?

The basic premise of the book: Mild spanking by a loving parent is essential for a child to respect authority later in life. Depriving them of this necessity will lead them to be a failure in work and other adult situations.

The book focuses on: justifications for spanking, rationalization that spanking is not harmful to children and prevents child abuse, and how all studies regarding spanking (except the ones that support spanking) are horribly flawed and overrated. Excessive examples of how other parenting experts are wrong and how their advice is ineffective are discussed. Inflammatory and biased language is used to persuade the reader.

The books presents that mild spanking should be used as one of many different strategies, however it fails to discuss any other effective techniques. Only read this book if you are looking for reinforcement of your belief in spanking. It offers nothing else.

How about writing some parenting tips on dealing with the strong-willed child?

The basic premise of the book: Mild spanking by a loving parent is essential for a child to respect authority later in life. Depriving them of this necessity will lead them to be a failure in work and other adult situations.

The book focuses on: justifications for spanking, rationalization that spanking is not harmful to children and prevents child abuse, and how all studies regarding spanking (except the ones that support spanking) are horribly flawed and overrated. Excessive examples of how other parenting experts are wrong and how their advice is ineffective are discussed. Inflammatory and biased language is used to persuade the reader.

The books presents that mild spanking should be used as one of many different strategies, however it fails to discuss any other effective techniques. Only read this book if you are looking for reinforcement of your belief in spanking. It offers nothing else.

I would highly recommend this book to any parent - whether you have a strong-willed child or not. this book is wonderful!!!