by Brian Osterhouse

Created on: July 01, 2010   Last Updated: July 05, 2010

I've adapted this post from a friend (who claims to prefer the pseudonym Si Fallor Sum for artistic purposes). The less frenetic portions possessed a measure of sense to me and I have with permission subjected it to my own annotations.

Mad because she didn't get her way, one of my younger daughters threatened to tell her teacher that she was beaten at home. No malice, or awareness of the consequences. Just a little human using everything in her arsenal to satisfy her immediate wants. The new age version of 'I'm running away because I can't stay up past my bedtime.' Si Fallor's spoken with many parents that say they are afraid to discipline their children for worry of such accusations. Though Fallor's many times has been subjected to injustices, one would hope that such charges wouldn't bear out. Allowing for the boy who cried wolf story and establishing parental authority.

Proverbs 2215 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him

Remembering that the Lord is our Shepard and that he uses to the crook of his staff to nudge us along the proper path, so to must we follow the example of our Father and correct the missteps of youth.

Perhaps it's an excuse to take the easy road and let the children do what they want. I don't want to say parents don't care. With the vanishing of old social mores, there's a softness developing in parenting. A growing importance of being the friend instead of in charge. The rise of 'party moms' and 'dad'. Arrested for house parties and supply teens with drugs, alcohol, and more.

In the break room a fellow coworker sighs. A warning of some world weariness, a problem she's got to share. "My sixteen year old daughter is dating a twenty four year old. Guess it's time to go put her on birth control."

Proverbs 2915 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Without saying what's right, or what's wrong. Parents have to create a necessary tension. Children will get into stuff adults don't approve of. (Most adults do to.) They will make mistakes, and if properly coached will learn and grow from them. However, enabling is the same thing as condoning. If you don't approve of a behavior make it difficult, not easier. Necessary tension. Raise the bar to jump higher. Lowering standards is a slippery downwards slope.

Though he who was without sin did not throw the first, or any, stone it is important to notice that he did not shirk from rebuking

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