Sarasota Speaks

Welcome, to the mothers and fathers who are visiting via the No Greater Joy Magazine July/August 2008 issue published by Michael and Debi Pearl. As a courtesy, I’ve spent some time organizing for your perusal the posts that have addressed the parenting teachings of Michael and Debi Pearl here at TulipGirl.com.I hold no personal animosity towards the Pearls. I do oppose their teachings because they teach behavioural conditioning and call it “Biblical training.” I oppose their teaching because while it may seem to “work” in the short term for some families, it sets up an antagonistic parent/child relationship based on control. I oppose their teachings because it leaves little room for the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of the parents or children, and does not turn children towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ.My goal is to help my children become the people God has created them to be, with an emphasis on a reliance upon God’s grace for daily living. I want to help them learn to recognize their sin and turn to God in repentance. I want to model for them what it looks like to lean into God when we are struggling.Meeting these goals is how I’ll eventually be able to measure whether my parenting choices are “working.” But, I can tell you now, that the teachings from the Pearls will not “work” for meeting these goals. May what you read here be verified as you search the Scriptures and as you seek to live out the Gospel in your family life.Grace and Peace,TulipGirl.Related to Michael and Debi Pearl:Pearls Po-RusskiChildren, Good and GrownOn the Pearls and ParentingPerfectionism and ParentingOn Perfectionism and ParentingMore on Michael and Debi PearlOn the Pearls and Parenting, RepeatWhat’s the Fuss About Michael and Debi Pearl?From Salon.Com: More on Michael and Debi Pearl.Related to Sean Paddock:Avoiding MillstonesRemembering Sean PaddockOther’s Thoughts on Lynn PaddockFrom Salon.Com: More on Michael and Debi Pearl.Related Topics:The Perfect FamilyParenting FreedomAvoiding MillstonesChildren, Good and GrownPerfectionism and ParentingOn Perfectionism and ParentingRestoring Gently and Carrying BurdensBiblical Relationships and Behaviourism.Offsite, Pearl Related:TTUAC ReviewA Switch or a CrossMy Pearl ExperienceAnother Pearl ExperienceThe Pearls are WrongTo Train Up A Child ReviewMichael Pearl on Original SinNo Greater Joy: A Look at the BasicsThe Tragedy of “Created To Be His Helpmeet”Created to Be His Helpmeet: Keer Unplugged ReviewCreated to Be His Helpmeet: Spunky Homeschool Review.Other Related Resources:Authoritarianism and Isolationism Among Us, PDFParenting Freedom: DisciplineBiblical Discipline: ConclusionsAwareParent Forum.