The New Strong-Willed Child

"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."
~ Written on 2008-08-04

"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. "
~ Written on 2008-05-17

"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!"
~ Written on 2008-04-24

"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. "
~ Written on 2008-04-05

"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. "
~ Written on 2008-04-02