Calling All Moms!

So you know how it is when you find that one book? The book that you've been looking for that can organize all your thoughts for you. Many of the thoughts that you already have but that you have a hard time remembering and therefore acting on. Thoughts that you'd love to share with your husband when you talk about the kids but you can't seem to phrase anything right so that he understands. Well, I found the book on Monday and it has quickly become one of my all time favorite parenting books.

I went to the bookstore to use a coupon and buy 2 specific books. Well, of course they didn't have the books I was looking for so I rather annoyed looked at the shelf for something that jumped out at me. This title jumped off the shelf and knocked me off my feet so to speak. Check it out: Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World. Respect is like my #1 issue because in my opinion everything else stems off of whether your kids respect God, you, others and themselves.

I especially loved the chapter on discipline. Jill Rigby speaks of disciplining our children not punishing them. She states: "We cannot demand respect from our kids; we must command it. Respect is earned. If your attempts at discipline aren't working, chances are you're using punishment, not discipline. You are seeking to satisfy yourself, not train your child."

She goes on to say "Punishment for the sole purpose of forcing compliance will be ineffective. When rules are about maintaining control rather than helping the child learn important life lessons, the child feels little respect for the rule or the rule maker."

Wow, this is something that Jim and I have discussed time and time again, but I could never explain it to him quite this well. He was of the belief that respect is something that your kids do just because "I'm the parent". And he was all about forcing compliance and maintaining control rather than the teaching life lessons.

Now, I am happy to say that over the years he has come over to the other side, the earning respect and not just "winning" with the kids which is more where my stance has always been. Now mind you, I am in no way saying that I am the perfect parent or by any means have all the answers or even that I am the better parent between Jim and I as we each have unique things to bring to our kids, but it is nice to find a book that sums up your thoughts. I find that when this happens I have an organized place to go when dealing with the kids that I already know I believe in.

So, what do you fellow mothers think of the few things I have told you about the author's take on discipline and respect? This is where the "Calling All Mothers " comes in. I'm looking for comments on your thought...yes, even those of you that usually read but don't leave acomment...please leave them. We all have lots of wisdom and it would be cool to share it....even you Mom, leave a comment!

If you're looking for a great book, check this one out!