Family Guy – 24 March 2008
I’m sure we’re all aware of the talk over the past year about the best ways to disciple our children.
There are books written on the best methods and how to shape the will without breaking the child.
All this while the United Nations, Politicians and humanistic theorists have somehow concluded that what kids really need is freedom from parental discipline & guidance. In fact, Article 14 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that the role of the parent is only “to provide direction.”
For some reason, they believe that authority, even when exercised in love, is harmful to our kids.
In his book, Straight Talk to Men, Doctor Dobson tells the story of a dentist friend of his, and how he handled a tear-away 10 year-old named Robbie.
Picture this ... and it really is a true story. Robbie turns up at the dental office, ready for battle.
“Get in the chair, young man,” said the dentist. “No chance!” Robbie shoots back. “Son, I told you to climb into the chair...”
Robbie stared at his opponent and then replied, “If you make me get in that chair, I will take off all my clothes.” The dentist calmly said, “Son, take ‘em off.”
So he removes his shirt, shoes and socks. “All right, son, now get on the chair.”
“You didn’t hear me,“ blurts out Robbie. “I said if you make me get on that chair, I will take off all my clothes.”
“Son, take ‘em off.” Off come the pants and undies, leaving Robbie standing totally naked before the dentist and his assistant.
“Now, son, get in the chair” Robbie did as he was told. And afterwards, grumpily says, “Now give me my clothes.”
But the dentist refused. He actually told Robbie that he was keeping the clothes, and that his mum could pick them up the next day.
Remember, this is a true story … Robbie’s mum walks her totally naked son back to the car and drove him home.
The next day, when she came back for his clothes, here’s what Robbie’s mum told the dentist: “You don’t know how much I appreciate what happened here. You see, Robbie has been blackmailing me about his clothes for years. You are the first person who has called his bluff, and the impact has been incredible!”
As Doctor Dodson says, “Children who are permitted to rule their bewildered parents are among the most frustrated creatures in God’s universe, as they scream and protest and pound on the floor.”
Kids are kids … they’ll always push the boundaries. But I think that they want to know that there’s a safety net keeping them from going too far. Remember, God has called us to guide and shape them, in love … and as it says in Proverbs, we are to train up our children in the way they should go, and when they are old, they won’t depart from it.
If you want more help in raising great kids, I suggest you start by picking up a copy of Dr Dobson’s book, Parenting Isn't for Cowards. You can get a copy of this, as well as help and resources for your family from our Online Resource Centre – Family.org.nz. I’ll catch you next week, with more from the Family Guy.
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