The parent who does spare the rod, not only will that ruin the child, but it also ruins a future relationship with the child. The parent who will spare the rod hates his son, but he also hates himself. He denies his son the blessing of learning to submit and obey and he denies himself the blessing of a child with whom he shares a loving relationship. “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him” (Proverbs 23:24). If the father of a righteous child rejoices, the father of a rebellious child laments. If the mother of a wise son will be glad in him, the mother of a foolish son will be ashamed in him. However, parents who diligently discipline their children become the delight of their children. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6). Diligent discipline is repaid in lifelong respect, enduring relationship.
What I saw from the sideline is the very thing Solomon addressed all those millennia ago. Discipline your children — you’ll love them and they’ll love you. Neglect to discipline your children — you’ll hate them and they’ll hate you. Spare the rod and you spoil the child, sure, but spare the rod and you spoil the parent as well.
