Nikki - posted on 10/15/2011 ( 52 moms have responded )
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In a new book that is bound to stir up controversy James says mothers of toddlers should avoid working outside the home or leave young children in the care of others for long periods.
He also attacks the strict disciplining of young children by comparing it to training them "like a dog in a laboratory".
In his book How Not to F*** Them Up – the sequel to his 2002 book They F*** You Up – James writes: "As a parent of a child of this age, you need to realise that if things go pear-shaped it is actually always your fault, in the sense that if you keep a close enough eye on them you can prevent atrocities."
He says that young children "need to be in the presence of a responsive, loving adult at all times", warning mothers who go out to work that day care is associated with more boastful, disobedient and aggressive children. According to the psychologist naughty step methods "often result in repetition of the undesired behaviour, rather than successful management. If you are not careful, you are just creating a guaranteed method for your children to wind you up."
In an attack on the methods of Gina Ford, a former maternity nurse turned best-selling toddler 'guru', he writes: "There is a great deal of evidence that very strict routines do lead to more insecure, and to more irritable and fussy, babies."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/775264...
Has anyone read this book? What do you think of his controversial statements?
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