SuperNanny – Spare the Rod – Discussion
Living as a Christian my entire life, I’ve always heard the scripture “spare the rod, spoil the child.”
I’m interested in learning what that means to our Super Nanny Rules readers.
So, what exactly does that scripture mean to you? And how do you include that scripture in your everyday life, or do you?
That saying comes from Proverbs 13:24.
I believe it is in reference to discipling your children using the “rod”. If you spare them the rod then you risk spoiling them.
Some soft hearted Christians have toned down that saying to mean it metaphorically. This would mean mainly verbal discipline.
Christians who take it literally are accustomed to spanking their kids.
I tend to take that saying both literally and metaphorically as it works in both cases and SHOULD be used in both cases.
Steve, I think you’ve given a very good opinion on this whole ’spare the rod’ issue.
I tend to agree that it should be enforced literally sometimes.
It’s this sick world we live in, where so many take too many things/issues to extreme that make it nearly impossible for parents to actually parent anymore.
If my child is doing something that could possibly cost them their life, you can bet I won’t think twice about sparing that rod! I’ll make sure they never think about doing it again.
I used to feel the same way however, after having had the opportunity of having Jo in our home and having a degree in Family Studies I have had a change in heart.
The scripture was brought up and I think it’s important to remember that the scriptures also say that we are to strive to live as Jesus did. He never once reached out to strick someone. In fact he said “all those without sin, cast the first stone.”
Many people say that talking won’t work. But do those same people truly know how to effective use communication to get the point across? And if they do know how, are they letting anger get the best of them?
I for one do not want to be the one that taught my children that they can hit when they get upset at any give situation. I’d rather be the one known as the parent that taught them how to effective communicate their wants, desires, needs and emotions. I want to strive to live as Jesus did.
I truly understand where you are coming from, but I tend to be a “drastic needs calls for drastic measures” kind of mom.
The ONLY times I’ve ever gone ballistic on my kids resulting in a spanking has been 1. when one took off riding his tricycle up the middle of the road, on a hill – and had ANYTHING at all been coming, he’d have been dead. He saw my tending to his brother as an opportunity to flee – I didn’t spare the rod that day.
Another was when the other son decided that he wanted to see what would happen if you took a screwdriver and stuck it in an outlet.
The only other time was when one took off running through a crowded parking lot and was nearly struck by a car.
My kids knew then if I said something was dangerous and they decided to test those waters, it was going to result in a very sore behind!
A little talkin’ to would have NOT ended with the same results. I’d bet my life on it!
By the way, Swanson Mom, I’m really glad you’ve stuck around! I enjoy your comments
I think you can give some real “Super Nanny” approaches versus my “losin’ my mind mom of twins” approaches 
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