Shepherding a Child's Heart

(Barré) #1

(^) Father: “You didn’t obey me, did you?”
(^) Child: [looking down] “No.”
(^) Father: “You know what Daddy must do. He must spank
you ... “
(^) The child has acknowledged what he has done. This ensures that
he knows why he is being spanked.
(^) 4. Remind him that the function of the spanking is not venting
your frustration or because you are angry, but to restore him to the
place in which God has promised blessing. Express your concern that
he has removed himself from the place of proper submission to your
authority. The spanking must reflect your obedience to God’s
directives and concern for the child’s good. You have no right to hit
your child under any circumstance other than biblically sanctioned
discipline.
(^) 5. Tell the child how many swats he will receive. (This is an
important signal that you are in control of yourself.) The number of
swats will vary with different children. One of our sons had a leather
bottom. He was not easily impressed. We had another son who was
so compliant that he obeyed as soon as he saw the paddle. He required
less.
(^) 6. Remove his drawers so that the spanking is not lost in the
padding of his pants. This should be done at the last possible moment.
They should be returned as soon as you are done. It is best to lay the
child across your lap rather than over a bed or a chair. This puts the
spanking in the context of your physical relationship. He is not being
removed from you to a neutral object for the purpose of being
disciplined.
(^) As children get older and more self-conscious you must be careful
not to shame or embarrass them. Here is a good rule of thumb. If you
child is young enough that you care for his hygiene, it will not

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