Both Sean and Lydia were adopted older, which implies a good probability of attachment issues. In an article on “defiance,” Pearl specifically advocates dealing with RAD-like behaviour through severe, ongoing discipline until the child “submits.”

This post has so much good to say about the realities of those unique situations.

“These truths are not new, deep insights from the professional world of research, rather, the same principles the Amish use to train their stubborn mules, the same technique God uses to train his children.” (Michael Pearl, To Train Up a Child)

My kids are not animals. This is secular behaviorism wrapped up in Christian-ese. And, I am beginning to be very annoyed with the God-way parenting community who assume if I parented their way, I could have prevented the outcome our family is currently walking.