Tickledpink, I think that your parents and mine had the same idea in mind when it comes to discipling children.
It is critical that if parents want their children to take them and punishment seriously that there must be a blending of discussion and spanking. As I mentioned before, my father spoke WITH us about what we did, review our motivations, think of a possible alternative the next time that comes up, and help in the design of punishment. He would quote Proverbs 13:24 connoting that it is because of love for his children that he does this as well as an understanding of the reality of the real world that will do more harsh things in the face of our crime.
I am definitely for spanking...but spanking under control. I don't agree with spanking for spanking sake. I've seen too many parents spank and yell at their children in public over small issues. I think that those incidents wouldn't be necessary if they had started a good discipline program early in the child's understanding. For if you start training a child up as early as possible, parents won't have these problems later on. Now, I'm not talking about spanking infant children with a belt. I'm talking about chastising. My mother would make this loud noise "EIIIIIGH" and I would stop that action immediately. Or, she would spank me with her hand (on my bottom or my hand) as an infant/toddler. She would say "Don't do that." "Mommy said NO" and I would stop.
Because of good training in the home, when my mom and dad took me to church, I knew how to be quiet...in restaurants...I didn't make a lot of noise..I was able to enjoy my childhood, but I understood RESTRICTIONS.
I really believe that crime prevention really starts at home. If we could get our values right at home, understand how to train children to respect authority, and love them RIGHT, then we will certainly have a much better society. Don't get me wrong..there are other things that we can all do...but it should really be the parents who talk with their children about RIGHT and WRONG...a belt can't do that by itself. You must discuss right from wrong, and be rational in distributing justice to children.
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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)
[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited August 22, 2000).]
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