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Book Review of The Strong-Willed Child: Birth Through Adolescence

The Strong-Willed Child: Birth Through Adolescence
reviewed on


I must first admit I did not finish reading this book, but here's why: I have a very strong-willed 2 year old. While I know that most 2 year olds have some degree of strong will, my son is definitely strong willed, now at 2 and I'm sure he will be later on.

The book does not really give ANY good advice for young children who are strong-willed. It admits everything we know - that while we love them like crazy, our strong-willed children can also drive us crazy. Dr. Dobson admits that these children are very challenging to rear, and he says we must be absolutely consistent or they may get in a LOT of trouble later on in life, very likely even a lot of legal trouble. He tells us we must make sure to discipline these children, but...unfortunately that's all. In every instance in which he discusses toddlers, he gives a situation in which the child is just 'acting his age' and should not be disciplined. It's almost as if he thinks that toddlers are rarely, actually defiant. Well then I must say he has not met MY often defiant 2 year old. Dr. Dobson gives NO support whatsoever in loving but strong discipline of this kind of child. I was rather disappointed, to be honest, because I have heard so many good things about Dobson.