Parental Discipline

Parental discipline is an important issue that parents have to make.  It can be difficult to draw the line between being overly caring to the point where the kids practically get away with what they did and being too strict.  Parents want to teach their children that a certain action they had done is wrong without being so stern that they may damage the children’s emotional wellbeing.  So how can this be done effectively?  While it may be difficult, there is a way to get through to your kids in a proper manner. 

            I strongly believe that punishments are a good thing.  Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” This may sound harsh, but it is very important that one does “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)  If a child does not learn from his mistakes, then they come to believe that those actions are acceptable and will continue to do them after the child is grown.  As quoted from Hebrews 12:11, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  If the child is young and depending on the severity of the wrong, a spanking may be acceptable.  This does not mean a beating as that would not only be cruel but also more damaging than beneficial.  As the child grows older, however, different punishments may come into play.  If for example, your teenager back talks you, I would take away his access to any technology (iPod, car, television, computer, etc...) for at least a week as well as ground him.  There are, of course, other ways that a teen could be punished, like maybe doing certain chores around the house.  It is important that the child knows that you still care for him and that your love is unconditional but that if he breaks the rules there will be consequences.  It might also be a good idea to try giving punishments that fit with the offense.  For example, if your child stays up past bedtime, then make him go to bed early the next night.  Finally, make sure that the child understands what it is that he did wrong and what the proper action should have been. 

            While coming up with an appropriate punishment may be a confusing and difficult decision, it is important that the parent inflicts strict rules and discipline if those rules are broken.  The child should not feel like he is hated by his parents but that he is being corrected because his parents love and care for him. 

Works Cited

"37 Bible Verses about Discipline Of Children." What Does the Bible Say About Discipline Of Children? N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. <http://www.openbible.info/topics/discipline_of_children>.

The Holy Bible. Glasgow [Scotland: Collins, 1989. Print.