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Tag: Child psychology

Parenting by the Book

Parenting by the Book: Biblical Wisdom for Raising Your Child

Written by AbleChild on . Posted in Essential Books.

In this book, well-known family psychologist, nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and best-selling author John Rosemond brings parents back to the Biblical basics. Though he holds a degree in psychology, at some point along the way Rosemond became a born-again Christian and started fighting against the “new age” idolatry of the psychological practice.

In Parenting by the Book: Biblical Wisdom for Your Child, Rosemond explains how parents have stopped taking advice from previous generations and started relying too much on psychological professionals for guidance on how to raise their children. As a result, the more recent generations of children have become victimized, requiring increasing doses of therapy and psychiatric drugs.

The solution, says Rosemond, is reviving Biblical principles in parenting, and focusing more on teaching our children to respect others, as opposed to focusing on self-esteem. Discipline and punishment are necessary to a child’s growth, says Rosemond, in opposition to modern psychology’s idea that punishment hurts a child’s self-esteem and therefore children should not have to face consequences for their behavior. These new ideas from modern psychology have turned parenting into an extremely frustrating and anxiety-provoking endeavor for both parents and children.

Parenting by the Book is well-researched book that lays out a simple and effective plan for raising happy and emotionally healthy children who will grow into a successful adulthood. This book also provides parents with answers to how to raise their children to be the best they can be, while maintaining sanity and peace of mind.

About the Author

John Rosemond is a family psychologist and parenting expert. He has written thirteen books on parenting issues and is a syndicated columnist for over 200 newspapers. His latest book is The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Parenting Plan. Rosemond and his Certified Leadership Parenting Coaches answer questions at www.ParentGuru.com. Rosemond is also an in-demand speaker on parenting and family issues, having appeared on a number of major television talk shows.

Reviews

Dr. Kevin Leman, author of Making Children Mind without Losing Yours:

“John Rosemond is one of the few psychologists I’ve ever met who always makes sense. This is the best common-sense guide to parenting I’ve read in a long time.”

Glenn T. Stanton, author of Marriage on Trial and My Crazy, Imperfect Christian Family:

“If you think ‘new’ is always better, this is not the book for you. John does all parents a huge service by skillfully illuminating the timeless wisdom of Scripture that has served generations in raising healthy, happy, obedient human beings. I was struck, both as a parent and a professional, at how simply and practically John presents these biblical truths for mothers and fathers. Parenting by the Book could start a parenting revolution, and I pray it does for the sake of our children.”

DuBose Ravenel, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and emeritus member of Focus of the Family medical advisor team:

“Truly a masterpiece. John’s concepts are consistent with both biblical principles and the best parenting research. As such, they work! A must-read for parents and professionals who work with parents.”

Ablechild

The Myth of the ADHD Child, Revised Edition: 101 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels and Coercion

Written by AbleChild on . Posted in Essential Books.

In response to the rise of ADHD diagnoses and the number of people taking psychoactive medications, The Myth of the ADHD Child: Revised Edition: 101 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels or Coercion really examines the root of where all of these issues are coming from.  Psychologist Dr. Thomas Armstrong addresses what many people believe to be a highly overdiagnosed disorder at the very least, and he even challenges the actual existence of ADHD, based on lack of concrete evidence. He instead explores possible alternatives for dealing with hyperactivity and short attention spans by engaging children’s creativity and vitality, which is often mischanneled.

Armstrong recommends the book be followed along with the guidance of the child’s doctor, and that the parents have an active role in the child’s treatment. Also, the book gives an overview of the history and politics of ADD and ADHD, and Big Pharma’s role in creating such a heavily medicated society. This is the second edition of the book, published 22 years after The Myth of the A.D.D. Child: 50 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels or Coercion.  Since the first book was published 22 years ago, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of people, and children, on psychotropic medication.

About the Author

Dr. Thomas Armstrong has a background in education, and has written a lot of material on parenting and education.  He has also explored mindfulness in the classroom as a way to help children feel calmer and more focused in school, which he wrote about in Mindfulness in the Classroom: Strategies for Promoting Concentration, Compassion, and Calm.  He also avidly promotes neurodiversity, which is an idea that views people with disabilities as having differences from others, including both challenges and strengths, as opposed to only focusing on the weaknesses of the disabled.  You can learn more in Armstrong’s book The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleash the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain.

Reviews

Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul and Success Principles:

“Parents everywhere should read this book, not just those with kids diagnosed with ADHD!  Thomas Armstrong presents a wealth of strategies, ideas, tips and resources that will help parents nurture kids who feel good about themselves, who have skills for coping with life’s challenges, strategies that will help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.  I wholeheartedly recommend The Myth of the ADHD Child.”

Alan Sroufe, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Child Psychology, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota:

“…absolutely essential reading for parents. teachers, and others concerned with children who struggle.  Armstrong provides a lucid and comprehensive response to the tragic overuse of medication for America’s children.  Bursting the myths of an established brain deficit, a single cause, and long-term effectiveness of drugs, Armstrong discusses parental options with compassion.”