Bipolar disorder in children: An example of where spanking fails (miserably)

 Bipolar disorder is long-term mood swings from mania, or increased elated and energetic mood, contrasted with depression, or else with pure mania that never switches. Pure mania bipolar disorder is what peacekeeperism, meaning it is already considered a disability, under a different, more familiar label. I have that disability, in remission. Virtually any mental disorder can exist within a child. I can empathize with the childhood of a peacekeeper. Many say "I was a wild/rebellious/stubborn little boy, so I deserved a good spanking from my momma and dad". I was that same child, and I am well adjusted, so why do I oppose spanking children as a right for parents.

I was a stubborn child from very early. I grew up in a liberal/progressive home, with only one of my parents believing my parents, my father, believing in spanking, but with both striking me throughout my childhood. My home was authoritative in nature, not authoritarian, so discipline was mostly done in terms of behavior charts, earned rewards, and then the punishment of not getting a reward - feeling like you are under a grid. 

My parents tried everything, including a few positive options, and nothing worked...until lithium. Just pop a pill, and then you can take care of the rest later. If you have such a child, the recommendation is to seek out a child psychiatrist or similarly trained pediatrician for medication trials. We say "trials" because only one works, meaning one of many, meaning always the last one your try.

The Bible has good advice for all parents, but especially these children. It says in Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things, as is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the care and safety of parents, being able to share any frustration or upset into parents, and have it validated, owing nothing in return to parents, but nonetheless listening to the best of their ability. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to anything that offends the child, to the slightest of din, meaning avoid.

This basically means forming a bond with your child, instead of policing them. What the Apostle Paul was speaking of was the fact that children in general are a mirror to a parent reminding them of their attitudes, if they closely pay attention. Parents that just sort of pay attention deny it and punish the child. When you punish a child with bipolar disorder, they just punish you back - with a beating, perhaps. Children like I was, and identify by today, were very angry and rendered powerless by our parents, and so we felt the need to overthrow tyrannical authority, which is how we viewed parents.

The depraved and entitled parents who deny a child psychiatric care and punishing the child instead, will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them rot in Hell! Let them BURN! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!