The Discipline Dilemma

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We live in a world where many parents have forgotten the art of disciplining their children.

Two hundred teenagers recently rioted in a nearby seaside suburb, and then the local community is calling for more police. But the reality of the situation is this. There are two hundred sets of parents out there who have failed their children by not disciplining the next generation. We don’t need more policing. What we require is better parenting.

The good book clearly states: ‘Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost.’ Proverbs 22:6

And then more controversially states in Proverbs 23:13,14 – ‘Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death.’

Now as a parent of three children, I know for a fact that it is because I followed these guidelines that my children have developed into responsible teenagers and adults.

Whenever I ‘spanked’ my children, because they had done something wrong, it always hurt me more than it ever hurt them. I chose not to react out of anger, but rather out of obedience to the instructions given by the wisest man who ever lived – King Solomon – the author of the book of Proverbs.

Even as small children, I would explain clearly to the offender why I was disciplining them, and then after doing the deed would draw them close to hug and kiss them. Wiping their tears they would soon be off laughing as they ran off to play. My spanking was not excessive but rather measured in accordance to the wrong committed.

Am I a perfect parent? Far from it. Did I administer correction in love to my children? Always. Did I ever make mistakes? Of course. However, if any other parents disagree with my methods, I simply point them to the results. Three strong and well adjusted young adults contributing to society in a mature and responsible manner.

With that I rest my case when it comes to the administration of discipline to the next generation.

Tags: Discipline, Parenthood