So, I lied. This isn’t exactly the same methods covered in Michael and Debi Pearl’s child-abuse manual “To Train Up A Child”, but it is from their daughter Shalom Pearl Brand in No Greater Joy magazine. Shalom takes a very different approach than her parents, and does not once mention being the devil out of them. Handling stubborn kids Pearl-style involves more abuse than this.

Don’t get me wrong, Shalom still has toxic odd ideas out of the Pearls teachings here. She just does not go to beating a child with a quarter inch plastic plumbing line as her first choice like Michael would.

Plus she seems to understand that both boys and girls can both have leadership abilities. Something her father would not even admit, ordering the daughter into the kitchen to bake biscuits, or knit socks.

Well, right there is a huge difference. You know if this was Michael he’s all about dictating and domination, as if he’s the only rooster in the yard.

This is not a bad idea. Giving a child some small control over their own lives makes life much more pleasant for everyone. The child gets to exercise their small measure of control, build confidence and feel like they matter. Handing a child choices is a better way to build life skills than any amount of beating.

Then there is this:

Again, not bad to have a plan. However there is a huge red flag in this paragraph. Her oldest daughter working as a nanny! The same 15 year old daughter mentioned above. Girls that age can be mothers helpers, or the occasional baby-sitter for siblings and for money with others. I do not care how many Red Cross sponsored baby sitting and first aid classes you have taken, this is not a responsibility that any teenager should be burdened with.

Most of the time people professionally employed as nannies usually have at least some early childhood education background, even specialty skills like speaking French or Spanish, credentials, education. But the biggest thing is that they are not people too young to function as adults. This girl isn’t even old enough to possess a drivers license in most states, much less has the brain development, critical decision making skills, or life experiences to be a professional.

It’s dangerous for the girl to be laden with this level of responsibility no matter how mature she might be. I question anyone that would hire a child as a nanny. Besides, in the Pearl world mothers do not work outside of the home, and certainly not for the periods of time you might need a nanny. It is irresponsible to even call her a nanny.

Yes, keep training up those kids to stand up for God. Heaven knows they aren’t fit for much else with no education, no training, and no real clue about life. This is neglect in my book. Shalom might not be beating her children like her father recommends, but make no mistake, limiting your children like this is abuse and neglect.

You might be interested in one man’s take on his years being raised by the Pearl’s book and the ramifications. How Not To Train Up A Child.

Stay in touch! Like No Longer Quivering on Facebook:

No Longer Quivering

If this is your first time visiting NLQ please read our Welcome page and our Comment Policy! Commenting here means you agree to abide by our policies.

Copyright notice: If you use any content from NLQ, including any of our research or Quoting Quiverfull quotes, please give us credit and a link back to this site. All original content is owned by No Longer Quivering and Patheos.com