To Train Up A Child by Michael and Debi Pearl

Child training is often viewed from two extremes. Permissiveness is the first. A view made popular by Dr. Spock decades ago, this taught that children were evolving and discipline hinders their progress. On the other hand, some parents spank their child for virtually everything. These are indeed extremes and neither is good for the child.

No Greater Joy, the ministry of Michael and Debi Pearl, began with the publication of their book To Train Up a Child back in 1994. Since then well over half a million copies have been printed of this best seller. The book gives principles to train up rather than discipline up a child.

This is not a list of theories and guesses but sound advice, illustrated from real family situations and presented in a very readable format. The Pearls used this method in raising their own five children who now have happy marriages of their own. They continue to see it work in the training of their 14+ grandchildren as well.

The goal of the book, in the words of the authors, is, “no more raised voices, no contention, no bad attitudes, fewer spankings, a cheerful atmosphere in the home, and total obedience from your children.” Remember, this ‘too good to be true’ goal has been achieved by thousands of satisfied readers. In fact, this led to the publication of No Greater Joy magazine containing answers to specific questions parents had in applying the principles. These articles are compiled into three volumes called No Greater Joy volumes one through three.

Don’t think the Pearls have come up with some hidden secret. Again, from their own pen: “These truths are not new, deep insights from the professional world of research, but rather, the same principles the Amish use to train their stubborn mules, the same technique God uses to train His children. These principles are profoundly simple and extremely obvious. After examining them with us, you will say, ‘I knew that all along. Where have I been? It’s so obvious.’”

The emphasis of To Train Up a Child is in the title word train. The book teaches parents how to train children before discipline is needed, maintaining fellowship with the children without being either a buddy or a tyrant.

Here is another quote from their introduction to the book: “The stress will be gone and your obedient children will praise you and bring joy and peace into your home. Thousands have testified to the amazing results of these profoundly simple techniques.”

The chapter titles include, among others, Selective Submission, Parental Anger, Safety Training, Emotional Control, Potty Training, Bullies, Self-Indulgence, and The Rod. Recently the book has been updated and expanded, yet the price is still very reasonable.

Parents don’t have time for a hit and miss approach to child rearing. They want to use techniques that are guaranteed to work. In a mere 122 pages, To Train Up a Child gives you that very thing. If you feel like a parental failure or know someone who does, this six dollars may be a life-changing investment.