Pearl spam

[ArmsOfLove]

eat some bean dip and then gag yourself and puke on the book when she's trying to hand it to you.

that's funny!

I would say something--for the purpose of setting a healthy boundary. If they ask why you aren't interested then you've gained their ear (at least their permission to share). I wouldn't try to change their minds but I don't think that is your goal

[UltraMother]

People buy boxes of their books because the books are cheap.

[BluegrassMama]

Yes, their books are cheap, but I can't imagine handing out armfuls of unsolicited advice, even if it were free for me to do it? I agree that there must be some sort of underlying need to lead others into this way of thinking.

Dh thinks it may be as simple as this: the whole Pearl schtick is 'ministry'...so if you are evangelical and feel that its God's word, you feel compelled to share it.

I heard from db#2 about it...he and his wife are really enjoying the Pearl material and finding them to be very wise . For the first time I am grateful that we all live several states away from each other :/ . I followed the Pearls for about 3 months, years ago, and it is my biggest regret. Beyond the damage that it did to my relationship with my son (thankfully mended)...I did NOT like feeling like I was 'better' than everybody else...like the only way you could be righteous would be to make yourself over in the image of Mike and Debi Pearl.

[AmyDoll]

Yucky, send a "reply-all" counter-offer of the Baby Book or Attachment Parenting by Sears, for anyone who REFUSES the Pearl books.

Then duck and cover.

XOXO
Amy

Yucky, send a "reply-all" counter-offer of the Baby Book or Attachment Parenting by Sears, for anyone who REFUSES the Pearl books.

Then duck and cover.

hahahhahahhaha!!! I love it.

[BluegrassMama]

Somebody may have to tie me down....I really really want to do that, AmyDoll!

Seriously, that gives me a great idea I could accept the book (we're planning a bonfire in a few weeks) and in a month or two "I" could offer some GD books! And the Kama Sutra, if everybody is so in need of marriage advice ( did I say that? )

[AmyDoll]

The other thing I might do is write back as though they were *surely* joking. Nobody ACTUALLY parents like that, right?

Rotten to the core,

Amy

[BluegrassMama]

Originally Posted by amy4dulcimer

I followed the Pearls for about 3 months, years ago, and it is my biggest regret.

Would it be a problem to share that much information - that you're familiar with the Pearls because you used their methods for a while and felt they were very detrimental? You could get sorta specific - that you felt they encouraged you to chose law over grace or that you felt following their advice quenched the Spirit or whatever your experience was on a Spiritual level. I've told family members I believed this or that was Biblical or unBiblical, and I would feel really bad if I believed my siblings or parents didn't feel free to disagree with me and to say as much to my face. Then again, one of the things I feel strongly about is challenging false doctrine - which is one of the areas we don't all agree on - but if someone in my family was "spamming" the rest with the Pearls I'd protest the idea that it's the most Biblical approach, at least.

Although in my family I'd be a lone voice on that one. I was really distressed at Christmas time over how rigid my-sister-the-always-compassionate has gotten. :/ Dunno if they'd all embrace the Pearls - but they're all pretty into Dobson so I think they'd figure the Pearls are on the right track, even though they might disagree with specific practices. Happily, they're all more "secular" than I am (they're Christian, but not so into the Christian culture, if that makes sense), and I don't think they're likely to stumble across the Pearls any time soon.

(Knock wood.)

Good luck, whatever route you take.

Sheryl

[mama j]

Maybe you could click "reply all" and send some links to everyong about some other information sites that talk about the downside of this parenting style. You could do it politely saying that there are other Biblical opinions on parenting and read these so you will have a balanced view regarding the Pearls, etc. Especially if these are people you know who would also value your insight.

Originally Posted by mama j

Maybe you could click "reply all" and send some links to everyong about some other information sites that talk about the downside of this parenting style. You could do it politely saying that there are other Biblical opinions on parenting and read these so you will have a balanced view regarding the Pearls, etc. Especially if these are people you know who would also value your insight.

Oooh, good idea!

[BluegrassMama]

If the family 'did' value my insight, that would be a great idea! Db is the junior patriarch of the clan. He's a natural born leader with "perfect" (family standard) children.

Dh and I are the hairy granola liberal hippies of the family, with 4 polite and respectful but age-appropriate little boys! Nobody listens to us

Well, I ignored the email and nothing bad happened so I guess I'll stick with that. But I'm ready for the next spam...this was so well-received by everybody else that I'm sure there will be more

You know, I think if I were in your situation (i.e.-having had experience with the Pearl methods), I would say something like, "Thanks, but we tried their parenting methods and found them to be detrimental to our relationships with our children."

4blessings,

I think that is a great response.

we tried their parenting methods and found them to be detrimental to our relationships with our children

It makes me so that they are drawing other families into this way of thinking. I would be HARD pressed not to say something or offer another option to these folks. (And if your bro and co. don't like it, they can just take you off their mailing list, and you won't have to deal with the spam anymore!)

[ArmsOfLove]

I've been thinking about this. . . since they are offering everyone unsolicited advice, what if you reply all'd something like, "Oh, if we're offering out parenting ideas I thought I'd send some email links/make available ______ book. LMK if you're interested"