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Backtracking-- "I Was Wrong!"
"I was wrong," admitted Dr. Spock honestly.
The most argued subject in parental circles in the past several years has been child care and discipline. Dr. Spock's name invariably was used to justify or prove permissiveness, but not until we experienced disastrous results of theories did we really begin to realize to what extent the "experts" had led the world astray. In an article, Dr. Spock admitted that he and other so-called experts were wrong.
This is particularly distressing to parents in the U.S. because his book, Baby and Child Care was treated as the standard method for taking care of children.
"Inability to be firm is the most common problem of parents," Dr. Spock wrote, "I blame at least part of the resulting brattiness of children on the expert, the child psychiatrist, teachers, social workers, and pediatricians like myself." While many parents considered Dr. Spock infallible and were deeply shocked by his backtracking, many fellow professionals were in a position to say, "I told you so."
"Most of my colleagues believe in the theory of pleasure and displeasure," explained Dr. Monique Valcke, a French child psychologist. He suggests that we alternate "punishment and praise as necessary."
Many of Dr. Spock's psychological tips served to make a weak-willed mother even
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weaker. Dr. Spock admitted as much when he said that professionals had helped undermine the role of parents in bringing up children. The parent had been pushed into the background because he or she did not have the specialized knowledge.
"Of course, we did it all with the best of intentions," Dr. Spock added. "We did not realize, until it was too late, how our know-it-all attitude was undermining their self-assurance and turning kids into brats." --Midwestern Christian College bulletin
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Put On The Brakes!
Mom and Dad, please slow down! PUT ON THE BRAKES!
Now, I know you are busy, and you never seem to get caught up. Every day brings a long list of urgent matters demanding your attention. There is simply not enough time to do all that you want to do and need to do.
But, I beg you, recognize that you will always have to leave something undone, and take time for your child every day.
If necessary, schedule time for your child. Reserve some time every day to have some fun with your child -- to do what your child wants to do.
Take time every day -- to play, to talk, to listen.
That child will never be this size and this age again. So, make the most of every moment.
--David Sain, "Heart to Heart"
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