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When it comes to child discipline, "spare the rod, spoil the child" is often quoted from the Bible.

Everyone should remember, however, at the time this was written it was a very violent world. Material possessions no matter how meager were at premium. There were rules that had to be adhered to or face dire consequences.

Things haven't changed that much in all these years, material possession are still at a premium although more people have them and there are still rules. We have grown in our way of thinking in so much that the old ways are still words of wisdom but they also have taken on different meanings.

Since this statement is being explained at face value the rod would be the instrument of punishment. But so can the hand; it can be stiff and ridged, too. Using a swat on the tushy can get the attention of a child just as fast as anything. Screaming at them is actually verbal abuse, and just as harmful as beating, perhaps even more.

Most children want to please their parents; even in the cradle they recognize expressions. When they are toddlers they imitate what they see. If you talk to them, not at them talk TO them, they will try to please and respond. When they do something wrong, you explain your love for them but let them know in words that you did not like their action. You are then teaching the rules. These include manners, caring, selflessness, listening, patience, morals; children learn what they observe.

"Spare the rod and spoil the child", we take that proverb literally, maybe to cover our own faults. If we taught our children well, there would be no spoiled child and thus no need for a rod. Discipline should never be a beating or humiliation.

Now when a child does something dangerous, they need a swat on the butt to their attention fast, and an explanation of why you took that action.

If you believe in God, than it stands to reason, since He is a loving God, that he intends no harm to anyone. If you don't believe in God, then it is just common sense that you do not beat children.

Another meaning to Spare the rod and spoil the child', then and now could possibly be; the rod being the rules, stiff and ridged, they don't bend; the child (we are all children of God) must obey the rules, they are for everyone.

A spoiled child could mean a person that has no regard for the rules set down to protect others and their possessions; in other words the law. Who is the spoiled child? Way back when, only royalty were spoiled, and they had whipping boys. If royalty

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