Blanket Training from a Bill Gothard Homeschooling Mothers' Support Network (1999)

The Advanced Training Institute (ATI) is the name of Bill Gothard's homeschooling program under the primary organization called the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). This documentation turned up on a Yahoo Discussion Group for those who were considering leaving Gothard's system. I have met, in person, the woman who posted this information, and I confirmed the information which was also forwarded to me by the other administrator of the group at that time (ten years later). I've included the top of the email and the header from the administrator, and I've included choppy screen shots of a now defunct online forum where the information was also posted. (It still appears in the internet cache.) Two different administrators sent me identical information when I requested it directly from them.

The Day the Duggars Promoted Michael Pearl's "Family Friendly Products"

When controversy concerning Michael Pearl followed after the death of Lydia Schatz and the renal failure induced in her sister due to the use of Michael Pearl's techniques, the Duggar Family seemed quite happy to drop their open support of Pearl's “ministry.”

Their current website doesn't show past information about their “Amazon Blitz” book launch, but their support of Pearl and their “finest in family friendly, value-based” products can be viewed on the Internet Archive.

Both the Pearls and the Duggars attest that they are Independent Fundamental Baptists, and the materials of the Pearls saturated so many sectors of the Christian homeschooling community. Naturally, they included the Pearls' publications and their support of their organization in their own book campaign.

Blanket Time vs Blanket Training, the Rod, and the Duggars

  

The Duggars seem to skirt the issue of corporal punishment and offer what seems to be a retelling of the child training methods that are already popular within their Independent Baptist and homeschooling circles. They have also studied and recommended the writings of Michael Pearl in the past. 

Blanket training was adapted from Pearl to what has been renamed “blanket time” (as BabyWise/Gary Ezzo coined it) -- or what Michelle has coined here as “quiet and still.”  Perhaps the word "time" seems softer than "training," or at least more human -- for the whole method is based on how one goes about training animals.  She refers to the method in general terms (in their books and on their website), yet she still uses the shared language within these communities such as the reference to blanket training as “a playpen in a purse.”