We Got Whipped

Back before a good old-fashioned whipping could harm a child’s self-esteem, we were whipped. These were not so-called love pats or something parents and teachers had read from a book by a psychologist who never raised a child. Because we all know that what this world needs, are more experts getting rich, telling us that thousands of years of parenting is all wrong. I am talking about bend over grab your ankles because this is going to hurt. What I am not talking about is child abuse; it was teaching us that there was a penalty for misbehaving.

Whether we were at home or at school, you always knew that if you were bad, you would get a whipping. As for me, early in life I lost count of just how many whippings I received. Nevertheless, ‘til this day I have never questioned whether I deserved a single one. Unbelievably, I actually was paddled my senior year in high school, (another story for another time.) To be honest I probably deserved a lot more for the times no one caught me. Until my last day on this earth, I honestly believe that I am a better man because someone cared enough to teach me the difference between right and wrong.

Please do not get the impression that I was a bad child. Facts are I was not that much different from most other children, the only difference is that I grew up in a time where discipline and respect mattered. In addition, when your parents told you it hurts them more than you do, it is true. Correcting my own children taught me that. As a parent, it really is the last thing you want to do, but just as God punishes us for not obeying His commandments, we must correct our children to save them from greater problems.

It is funny to think about now, but I cannot believe the stunts I pulled knowing fully that it would end with me getting a whipping. Therefore, if by your very nature you are going to push the boundaries, are we not creating the opportunity for kids to get in much worse situations by not punishing the minor offenses?

It absolutely amazes me when I witness children, especially small ones, arguing with their parents in public. I might have been a brave one, but I would have never gone there. I honestly believe my dad would have knocked me to the floor for that kind of disrespect.

Recently I encountered a young mother in a local grocery store who had a child that was probably eight or nine years old. This child was hollering and telling her just how sorry she was as a mother because she would not get him what he wanted. After his verbal abuse, she gave in and got him what he wanted anyway. Believe me what I wanted to do was take my belt off, hand it to her and tell her she had my permission to teach him some respect.

The Bible tells us that “He who spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24). I cannot help but believe that many of today’s problems with children would go away if more parents and the schools would again use a good old-fashioned board of education.