Perhaps there was a time when parents generally over-disciplined. Some parents today also are harsh and need to be warned that "correcting [children] unduly" is a sin against the fifth commandment. But today the more common problem seems to be just the opposite. It is ordinary to see little children simply owning their parents, ignoring their instructions with impunity. Couple our cultural moment of general permissiveness with the fact that administering discipline is unpleasant and it makes sense that parents today err on the side of lenience. But lenience, like severity, is still an error.
We need to recover the biblical paradigm of loving but firm physical discipline, especially for little children. And this is a community project. Older adults, encourage young parents in the discipline of their children. Be patient with their shortcomings. If a right opportunity arises, share your failures and successes in disciplining your own children. And pray for them in this difficult process.
We don't see this topic merely as a practical parenting lesson. See it also as an extended illustration of God's loving discipline of his children (see Heb. 12:7–11). "The Lord disciplines the one he loves" (6). So must we.
