As a “seasoned” parent of four grown children and now a grandmother to five, I am a bit perplexed by the family dynamics I have observed between my grandchildren and their parents. Why do the families appear always on edge, and how come I never have a problem when I am in charge of the little ones?
A magazine article caught my eye one day: “The well behaved child”, by John Rosemond. Is there such an animal in this day and age? I read on. It seems that John Rosemond is a psychologist who has seen the error of his past understandings and now vigorously promotes bringing up children “By the Book”, and as you have correctly surmised, this means the Bible. I eagerly ordered and read one of his works, “Parenting by the Book” and was relieved to learn that although I did not do everything correctly, I was close to the mark. I believe his viewpoints hold great validity. There is hope for all families wishing to raised balance, independent children of character, but you must put aside the false concepts which have crept into society via the media and humanism.
The book jacket reads: “Picture respectful, responsible, obedient children, who entertain themselves without television or video games, do their own homework, and have impeccable manners. A pie in the sky fantasy? Not so, says family psychologist and bestselling author John Rosemond. Any parent who so desires can grow children who fit that description — happy, emotionally healthy children who honor their parents and their families with good behavior and do their best in school.”
In the 1960’s, American parents stopped listening to their elders when it came to child rearing and began listening instead to professional experts. Since then, raising children has become fraught with anxiety, stress and frustration. The solution, says John, lies in raising children according to Biblical principles, the same principles that have guided parents successfully for hundreds of years. They worked then and they still work now!
Knowing that it would be difficult to get my children to read the book, I searched the authors web-site, and found a two hour seminar (Parenting according to Grandma), which puts child raising concepts in a nutshell. I highly recommend the program to all for their consideration in childrearing.
John Rosemond specifically deals with the authority and leadership of parenting. When authority and leadership are respected, much of the rest of parenting falls in line. I was overjoyed to read that there is indeed hope in teaching young parents to bring up their children in a Godly manner.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One