The Pearls are Coming

[Heffernhyphen]

Michael and Debi Pearl are coming soon to a town near you . . . well, near me actually. Do you think it would be worthwhile to organize a peaceful presence of parents to stand outside the auditorium and gently offer alternative ideas? I'm envisioning very pleasantly and non-confrontationally handing out pamphlets with AP and GD ideas, perhaps something by Dr. Sears. No signs, shouting, or shaming, just respectfully offering an alternative.

I'm sure some of these parents are well-meaning but misguided. Maybe all they need is another idea for them to see the light.

[Plummeting]

I would! I wish I were nearby because I would help!

[Polgara]

I think that a peaceful, educational protest would be wonderful.
The Pearls really really scare me.

[BusyMommy]

Please!

I wish we could help.

Perhaps notify the news media once you've organized it?

[annettemarie]

I think you have a beautiful idea!

[Piglet68]

I think it's a FABULOUS idea. And you should DEFINITELY contact the media about it. These people are way controversial and that should be made public, instead of people thinking they represent the "norm" for parenting.

[chicagomom]

I think it's a good idea, but I also think you should be prepared to be yelled at and seriously harrassed. The Pearls get hecklers regularly.

[Mama2RMM]

What a great idea! I saw in today's paper that James Dobson is syndicated in our Sunday "Faith and Family" section. It made me ill.

Anything we can do to steer parents away from "experts" with such horrid views of child rearing is worth a shot!

I like the idea of a peaceful protest... my letter to the editor of our paper wasn't coming out so calm. I'm glad I read your thread!

[amanda2b2]

i think that is a wonderful idea. If I was closer I would definatly come. you should post this in the tribal area for Arkansas so that the moms fromt here see it.

How'd you find out that they were coming. If they ever come around here I would be glad to do the same.

[Heffernhyphen]

Originally Posted by amanda2b2

How'd you find out that they were coming. If they ever come around here I would be glad to do the same.

I heard it through my LLL group, but I don't know how she heard. I'll let you know if I find out.

It's so great to be in groups like these where all this information is available.

[sophmama]

I'd see if you could get some good materials from gentlechristianmothers.com - since they have a very religious following that might be most applicable. I think the most effective thing would be a simple pamphlet that explains how the bible does not teach spanking (listing ALL verses) and some effective alternatives (preferably with scriptures also). If you appear to be 'secular' or of another religion you will probably not gain the ear of any of the attendees since these are VERY fundamentalist people. (my parents get their magazine). There will be a lot of long skirt wearing and head covering women (not all). Their teachings/followers endorse submissive women so they may not listen at all to a 'loud' group of women if that makes sense. Possibly wrap your brochure in a "prayers for mothers" pamphlet or "prayers for parents" with scriptures or something more benign so it doesn't get thrown out on the way in.

That's my take if you want to convert anyone away from the practices. If you want to cause outsiders to realize what's going on I'd do a protest but know that you won't convert anyone inside probably - but you never know.

Maybe 2 different groups - protesters and pamphleters that appear to be seperate but covertly are together???

[amanda2b2]

can someone give me a quick run down on James Dobson? I had to go and check to be sure but I had another mom suggest him. I kinda thought of her as a crunchymama too. She is into homebirth, natural childbirth, breastfeeding and all that.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by amanda2b2

can someone give me a quick run down on James Dobson? I had to go and check to be sure but I had another mom suggest him. I kinda thought of her as a crunchymama too. She is into homebirth, natural childbirth, breastfeeding and all that.

He believes babies are born sinful and that spanking and other punitive measures are Biblically ordained way of controlling children's sinful natures.

[amanda2b2]

wow. I'm really shocked she suggested him. It was him and three dr Sears books. Kinda of a strange combo there.

[annettemarie]

What was the Dobson book, if you don't mind my asking?

[Eman'smom]

It's probably not realistic, but could you buy out or show up with a bunch of other people to "fill the seats". Maybe they will have a "Q&A"

[IncaMama]

Originally Posted by sophmama

I'd see if you could get some good materials from gentlechristianmothers.com - since they have a very religious following that might be most applicable. I think the most effective thing would be a simple pamphlet that explains how the bible does not teach spanking (listing ALL verses) and some effective alternatives (preferably with scriptures also). If you appear to be 'secular' or of another religion you will probably not gain the ear of any of the attendees since these are VERY fundamentalist people. (my parents get their magazine). There will be a lot of long skirt wearing and head covering women (not all). Their teachings/followers endorse submissive women so they may not listen at all to a 'loud' group of women if that makes sense. Possibly wrap your brochure in a "prayers for mothers" pamphlet or "prayers for parents" with scriptures or something more benign so it doesn't get thrown out on the way in.

That's my take if you want to convert anyone away from the practices. If you want to cause outsiders to realize what's going on I'd do a protest but know that you won't convert anyone inside probably - but you never know.

Maybe 2 different groups - protesters and pamphleters that appear to be seperate but covertly are together???

i really like this idea...good call!
good luck!!!

[radish]

Great idea, Id love more info on their schedule.

[APGoddess83]

Originally Posted by radish

Great idea, Id love more info on their schedule.

http://nogreaterjoy.org/

I think this is a super idea!!! They terrify me!!!

[Finch]

Good Lord, PLEASE protest and hand out counter-information!!!! I have never protested anything in my life, but I would protest the Pearls.

: Omg, I was looking around on their website, and found this:
http://nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=117

They're coming to ROUND ROCK??!!?? You have GOT to be kidding me. I know that Austin/Round Rock has to have a huge population of parents who would protest these fools. Ugh. Please protest, y'all. Please.