Mutual submission - Why parents should respect their children first

Respect is a key understanding of parenting in the United States. The prevailing belief among parents in this country is that parents are to demand respect from children. Most parents don't understand what natural law says about parenting and respect. Children first, parents last.

It says in Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, for this is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live upon the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke nor your children to anger, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to trust in parents, meaning secure, vulnerable rest in the care and safety of parents, feeling safe in telling them anything, feeling safe being oneself in relation to them, owing absolutely in relation to children, but nonetheless listening to parents, not out of fear of punishment, but out of warm, vulnerable trust in parents, as in the Lord. This comes from Christian love for children, meaning Agape love, denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο, and refers to submission to children and their needs, as their enemy, seeking to be their friend, knowing one's capacity for abuse and ignorance in relation to children, sacrificing for children just as Christ suffered for His children, rendering oneself beneath one's child in terms of serving and ministering to them, expecting absolutely nothing in return.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to the chastening of the Lord for parents, centering and disciplining oneself in relation to one's children, listening to and validating upsets and concerns from children, instructing them gently and without violence or entitlement, punishing oneself for wanting anything from a child, and rewarding yourself when children respect you due to your respect and want to spend time with you. It is a disciplined, controlled attitude that models such an attitude to children by way of listening to the tears of children, validating their big emotions and right to said emotions. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the admonition of the Lord, meaning setting limits and boundaries with children, perhaps using the word "no" or its various variants. Saying "no" should be a rare occurrence, as children should learn by example, and because when children do misbehave, it is mostly because of developmentally appropriate behaviors that aren't normative in our culture. They'll get it later, not now. This is all weighed by the Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" which is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to the offenses, namely the torts and damages under the Law, and especially assault and battery laws, which extend to children under biblical law. This is summed up in the New Testament as the slightest of personal slights perceived by the child, coming from entitled intent, denoted by the Greek root word πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers not merely to wanting things from children, but wanting things to the point of seeking to impose said want onto a child...The child is the one imposing wants on parents. Know when you are being summoned.

Attachment parenting was the normative parenting throughout the Bible, and thus respect for parents was closeness to them, with children being held towards parents in swaddling clothes. For the modern application, in strict format, think Greco. That sort of closeness is what is commanded by the Bible onto parents, with children reciprocating once parents prove themselves to be trustworthy.

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Parents are to respect their children, and not provoke them to anger. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!