I lied...here's more about Ezzo & Babywise

Found this site from some other blog links: http://www.ezzo.info/

"Readers have reason to question not only Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo’s believability but also their suitability to teach others about parenting. The Ezzos have not succeeded in their parenting relationships with their own children as measured by their own standards.
On Becoming BABYWISE tells parents not to look at “the reasoning or logic of the hypothesis” but to “observe the end results,” and Growing Kids God’s Way says, “The relational goal of our parenting is friendship with our children” (emphases in originals). But the Ezzos have not achieved this goal with their own two daughters. (*my side note-friends with your children? I don't think that's what parents are supposed to be!)
Sadly, several years ago, both daughters and their husbands cut off contact with the Ezzos, and they remain estranged. Both couples have confirmed this to Ezzo.info. One couple, the Luedkes, indicated that their decision was based on their personal observation of the same types of character issues raised by others and that it was done only after much prayer, consideration, and counsel.
This situation is a true tragedy, but churches and parents considering the Ezzos’ parenting advice deserve to know that the pattern of broken relationships they have left behind them extends even into their own family.
No doubt readers are weary of the divisive debates over Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo and their teachings. The critics certainly are! It is tempting to throw up one’s hands in despair over the whole matter. But no matter how difficult it may be, no Christian should ignore the obligation to evaluate both the teaching and the character of anyone who claims to teach “God’s way.”
Readers are urged: to ponder the many concerns about the Ezzos expressed by so many people; to evaluate the way the Ezzos respond to criticism, including years of false and misleading personal attacks now renewed on Ezzotruth.com; to evaluate the results in the Ezzos’ own family; and to discern with the Holy Spirit’s guidance what the truth really is."

I'll be honest at first I was just like 'oh that's a crappy idea of parenting'. But the more I read, the more I hear, the more I learn I can't stand it. I can't stand the idea of these newborn babies allowed to cry for an hour in their cribs, babies! Who have no words, no way of letting you know anything, but by crying. Who's to say they're not crying because they've had an explosive diaper all over the crib during nap and yet are forced to stay in there until nap time is over?
It breaks my heart that there are babies crying at all anywhere in the world; but unlike poor, uneducated, unwilling parents (like so many clients I have worked with) these parents are told they're doing the right thing, and they are doing it because they think it's right and they love their babies. Those babies are crying, all alone and no one is coming to them, holding them, comforting them. They are forced to wait for meals when they're tiny stomachs cannot. Then there are toddlers and infants being spanked for things they aren't doing because they probably developmentally can't, or for things they are doing, that are developmentally appropriate.
Controversy? There it is. Here's some more: I've nursed my baby to sleep, I bring him to bed in the morning with me and nurse him there, I rock him to sleep sometimes, I've worn him in a sling, and in a baby Bjorn, I've held him all day long, he's never been in a playpen, we don't always eat at the same time every day, we don't nap at the same time every day, it's close but it's not rigid...we sing, we talk, we play games, we laugh, we tickle, we play peek-a-boo, my laundry is never done, my chores are always there, dinner is sometimes late, but that boy lights up when I walk in the room and reaches for me and laughs as he snuggles in my arms, so I could care less about the rest.

Babywise

I just have to proclaim my disdain for this so called "method". I know people who use/have used it, and claim success. But on the other hand and perhaps my own personal opinion (altho I've seen research to back it up) it's not a great way to 'parent' let's say. Over the last year, being pregnant and such, I did so much research, so much reading, my coworkers used to actually yell at me and Kevin would just learn to nod his head at whatever I said. So, I have researched both and a lot, I'm not just saying things off the top of my head.
First, let's start with Babywise. My first problem is that it is written by a guy (Ezzo). Yep, just a guy. No pediatrician, no psychologist, no child developmental specialist, no doctor, no teacher, no nothing, not even having any education or courses in any child development, education, counseling, NOTHING. That's my first issue. Yes, having your own children can give you experience, but only so much. And just because one thing worked with your children does not in any way make it right for the rest of the population.
Second, the premise of the book is that children are evil and manipulative, infants are trying to manipulate their parents. Why that evil 2 week old child is manipulating you right now! For the love of Pete! It's not even possible, children have no clue about right and wrong, or manipulation for awhile. Yes they learn cause and effect but not right and wrong and such, until years down the road. (even the law says so, children cannot testify in court unless they can identify a lie, right/wrong, which is at the earliest 5 years old). So he basically is making these parents think they have to 'discipline' their tiny babies.
Third, he enforces a strict schedule on newborns. There's an eat, play, sleep schedule that parents are to strictly adhere to and enforce. If the baby wakes up from nap early, it stays in the crib and cries until the parents say nap time is over, this way the baby learns to obey the parents and follow the rules. If the child is hungry before it's feeding time, too bad, you can give a pacifier but not feed the child. Major, MAJOR problems with that. A. it does not account for growth spurts in a rapidly growing infant. B. not all babies can go 4 hours without feeding. C. there are too many numerous factors to account for in this scenario, I don't have time for that. D. This also affects the breastfeeding mother, milk is a supply and demand thing. Lengthening time between nursings is telling your body your baby doesn't need that much, it may make less, or you can become engorged, clogged, etc.
Fourth, This does not encourage good bonding time with that baby. I think it makes that baby feel even more helpless. It makes that poor baby think that no matter how hoard it cries you are not going to respond unless YOU are ready, unless YOU say it is time. Talk about manipulating and controlling.
But the thing I have the most disgust with is this: it explicitly tells parents to ignore their feelings of anxiety, wanting to help their child, guilt, sadness, to ignore baby's cues, etc. when that baby cries; it tells parents to not discuss this method with other people because 'other people wont understand what you're trying to do'; and it tells them that they should be ready for attacks by other people about this method. Now, if you have to premise your theory with that, that tells me that something is extremely wrong and it makes me think of a cult-like setting.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I'm sure there's some who absolutely love this whole series. But, when I read books that tell me to slap my 7 month old's hands for dropping food on the floor, for making my toddler say 'obey' all the time, I can't see how that's beneficial. I want my child to obey, to not be a brat, to learn right from wrong, to have a routine, but not be so stuck in it, to not have a single, creative idea in his head, I don't want him to be a robot dictated by how I say he should think, act and feel. I want him to obey and to listen, but know that he will make mistakes, and that's okay.
Ok that was the longest post ever, and now that I got my rant of the week out, I better get ready for the final Christmas party.