Often when a Christian and you gently discipline your children rather than using "spanking", your criticized.

Here is a wonderful site for Christian moms who believe strongly in gentle discipline.

http://www.gentlemothering.com/topics/gentlediscipline.php

I took a Christian based class offered through a non-denminational church called "Growing kids God's Way" and they DID NOT promote Gentle Discipline in the least. :yikes:

I, too, have run into a lot of Christians who take the verse about "sparing the rod" a little farther than I feel it goes.....

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep.....His discipline is not always fun, but as a shepherd, he guides His sheep using that "rod of correction" by gently guiding them into the path they need to be in, not by beating them with His staff.....

I was ostracized from a women's group in a small conservative church back east because I wouldn't "pluck" Belle's cheek when she chewed while nursing.....they basically kicked me out & told me I'd "be sorry later" for the way Belle would turn out.....my "problem child" as they predicted her to be, wants nothing more than to be a Nun & work & devote her entire life to GOD.....

I'm so thankful for this forum.....that is a wonderful link CJ & I've got it up on another browser & will be visiting there momentarily!! Thank You!

This growing kids God's way - went as far as describing the exact strap or stick one should use to extract the exact amount of pain to remove the sin from the child "as directed by the Lord" in the Bible - I was appalled!

I would've been as well - thankfully this forum has been created to help us as parents find a more constructive, positive way of discipling our children that will allow them to retain their dignity & self-respect.

Debbie, I totally agree. The rod they speak of in the Bible, I believe was never used to hit with but to draw them back into the fold. To correct them as a shepherd brings in the wayward sheep. When the shepherd uses the rod to bring in a lost sheep, he pulls them in with the rod. He doesn't go after them and hit them with it.

For me that scripture verse shows us such a gentle way when in actuality many take it as a way to get away with abuse!!! My father was one of them.

CJ :hugz: - my mother also had a warped view of that verse....

Thankfully, the Lord is His Wonderfulness has chosen us as the generation that this Biblical misunderstanding should stop at!!

A loving shepherd adores his flock for they define who he is - he certainly would not abuse them....

Our children are so blessed!!

I don't want in any way though for others who believe that is okay to discipline their child that way, that I'm being critical of their beliefs. Each family has to do what they feel is best for their family, but I also believe others have to be open-minded about our ways of discipline.

I'm only stating my beliefs here and want other Christians to know there are other ways to discipline kids and for them to not be critical of us.

Thanks - I look forward to checking out that site!

Thank you so much for the link, CJ. I can't say what I think of 'Growing Kids God's Way" here. :mad: :eek:

ITA with you CJ.....

Each family must do what they feel is correct for their family & their circumstances....

GOD knew what each one of us would do as a parent when he chose the children to give us....

I used to be a screamer & a spanker - thankfully for the little girls, I mellowed & found a much better approach to parenting --- BUT THAT'S SOLELY ME!!! Perhaps GOD has other plans for "Family A" and so forth.....

That's what's so wonderfully about Christianity in general - we are all not required to be at the same place in our walk!!

I would never judge anyone for their corrective techniques with their children & I'd hope others would have the same respect for me....

Originally posted by Dixie
Thank you so much for the link, CJ. I can't say what I think of 'Growing Kids God's Way" here. :mad: :eek:

Me either!!!! :(

Uh, oh - was I out of line again - please some one PM to let me know - or I will never learn when to keep my mouth shut.
I , too, in my readings of the Bible determined more of a teaching and guidance aspect, no rod, except to pull back to the flock. I have sheep- to hit one with the staff would reverse everything I have ever developed with them - they love me, they listen to me. Its not even about food - its about a leader!

Actually Kimmee - I think everything you said was quite IN line.....

The concept of a loving shepherd was exactly what I was referring to....

Kimmee, :confused: I don't see how you were out of line.

Thanks for the link CJ.:angel: