Original page content
removed.
Please understand why...
I used to recommend this book (To Train Up A Child) but realize that
the book has been misused, the suggestions misconstrued
and has been misused as permission to beat children.
I have read this book as I do all
other things I read: I read it, weighed it for it's
validity, accuracy or usefulness and then, simply
gleaned things in it that were of value -- our
methods and applications were theirs, but ours, personally designed
as we were *already* training and disciplining
children when they deliberately *not* childishly
disobeyed. I do not now, will not in the future and
NEVER have in the past advocated beating, whipping,
hitting, slapping, abusing children. We've NEVER
advocated starving children, locking them in rooms or
locking them outside, etc., etc. There is a gigantic leap from where
we stand and what's been interpreted or *assumed* or
added to or misconstrued about the book TTUAC
and the over use of corporal punishment and ensuing child abuse.
But somehow my well intentioned
inclusion of this book has had negative
ramifications and for this I am sorry (and, frankly,
though I'm weary of the vicious hate mail I receive,
I want it to be known that I do not blanketly endorse
this book) and thus have
removed the content (the text of the book) from this
page for this reason alone - so that no one will read
excerpts of the book and think they know what the whole
context is. We do not now, have never and will
never advocate hitting children -- therefore, if you
read this book, please do so with extreme sensitivity
and determine that you will NEVER discipline in
frustration or anger or as a last resort in
exasperation; please learn self discipline so that
you will always discipline with great sensitivity,
purpose, self control and clear understanding.
My intention was (and very much is!) to promote
intelligent, intentional, self-controlled, responsible
and LOVING, carefully planned discipline (do not ignorantly construe
this to mean beatings, railings, hitting, etc., etc.)
and not think that the incessant use of warnings and warnings and
warnings about the child losing privileges or sitting in
the time out chair after warning after warning or,
worse, leaving children alone to behave however they
feel like behaving is the proper way to train children. My intent was/is to promote --
loving discipline -- NOT what's being
ignorantly/intentionally promulgated as beating or
prolonged corporal punishment or whatever other
arrogant, misinterpreted view or misconstrued
conclusion.
Children must be lovingly guided; they must be assured
their parents adore them and as such they should live
with daily affirmation that they're loved and cared for. Parents
must bless and encourage them as children are given
daily oversight and care. In growing stages or age-appropriate stages
of being intentionally well trained, well loved, well
disciplined, well cared for -- in order that they be
well behaved, well respected, well nurtured, well
mannered, well instructed, well praised and well
desired: confident and self-controlled adults. Children must have the daily affirmation
they are uniquely loved by their Creator and that the
Lord has specially created them for His glory. Our earnest hope
for them is that they will be found faithful.
We train up children in the way they should go... that
they will love the Lord with all their heart, mind and
strength and that they will love their neighbour as
themselves.
