When an American mom took her 17 year old daughter to the doctor's for an appointment, she learned that a nurse may meet with her daughter to have a private discussion. This response is an open letter to that mom's unrealistic, scary and sheltering opinion on the situation.
Growing up, the number of children who were completely sheltered by their parents was astonishing. Kids who didn't know how to function outside of the forced bubble of perfection their parents created, were more damaged than those exposed to the harsh realities of the world.
I'm not stupid. I'm not insisting that young children should be sat in front of the TV and given room to roam and peruse channels of pure filth. Nor am I insisting that we should fill their heads with all manner of evil just to give them a taste of the world. I'm talking about a delicate, controlled balance. I'm talking about sheltering, not smothering. Proverbs 13: 24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (KJV) He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him in good season. (KJ21) He who fails to use a stick hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (CEB) If you love your children, you will correct them; if you don’t love them, you won’t correct them. (CEV) Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on. (GW) All translations from Bible Gateway. I was spanked as a child. I have made the decision not to spank my child. |