Maybe Don’t Use a Taser on Your Kid for One Thing
Today's strange news story comes from Arizona, where a Phoenix area mother has been accused of using a touch taser stun gun on her son to encourage him to get ready for church on Easter Sunday. Sharron Dobbins admits that she was frustrated when her teenage son refused to get out of bed but she denies using the stun gun saying she only waved it around hoping the noise would motivate the 16 year old. She does not know what caused marks on his leg that resemble stun gun burns. Ms Dobbins has been charged with felony child abuse.
She maintains that she did nothing wrong saying "nobody writes a book on the correct way of paren'ting".
Personally I think Ms Dobbins is wrong to threaten her son with a taser and she is definitely wrong about paren'ting books. There are lots.
These are some of the titles you can find in the Toronto Public Library system.
Achtung Baby: an American Mom on the German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children by Sara Zaske
When Zaske moved from the United States to Berlin, she noticed that German paren'ts encourage their children to be independent by permitting them a great deal of freedom. She did not notice German paren'ts threatening their children with Elektroschocker (the German word for stun gun).
The Danish Way of Paren'ting: What the Happiest People in the World Know about Raising Confident Capable Kids by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl
The Danish word for stun gun is "strømpistol" but I had to look that up with Google translate because it isn't mentioned in this book.
How to Raise Kind Kids: and Get Respect, Gratitude and a Happier Family in the Bargain by Thomas Likona
I bet one of the ways to raise kind kids involves not threatening them with a taser.
Say Bonjour to the Lady: Paren'ting from Paris to New York by Florence Mars and Pauline Lévêque
Did you know that the French word for stun gun is "pistolet paralysant"? This humorous book by two Parisian mothers living in New York contrasts the differences US and French paren'ting styles but does not recommend tasers as a resource no matter what citizenship you have.
What Great Paren'ts Do: 75 Simple Strategies for Raising Kids who Thrive by Erica Reischer
Probably great paren'ts don't taser their kids. They may not even own a stun gun!
Paren'ting is incredibly frustrating but using weapons against your children should never be an option. Use the catalogue to search for paren'ting books or ask staff at your local branch to help you find what you need.
The Toronto Public Health website has information about pregnancy, baby and child care and nutrition. Free paren'ting classes for Toronto residents with young children are also available.
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