Why not to expect things from children: Expectations versus behavioral preferences

Many parents abuse their children, usually through spanking or another form of punishment, with 94% of parents spanking and punishing their children. What is the number one cause of child abuse? Parental entitlement, meaning every single case of child abuse stems from entitlement in the adult.

Entitlement, in plain sight, in parenting is blowing your fuse when children are "supposed to" do something, such as sit nicely, play nicely with siblings, or do chores around the house. Entitlement, in the Bible, is denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers to the attitude of wanting things from children, or for children to do things, while seeking to impose said item onto a child, leading to a child taking offense. 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 become discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is translated by the Greek root word υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the care and safety of parents, being able to tell parents or confide into them anything, be oneself around parents, owing nothing in relation to children, yet nonetheless listening to parents out of gratitude of respect for them. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to the offenses under the Mosaic Law linked to the Eighth Commandment, referring to assault and battery laws that extend to children in terms of protection. In the New Testament, this is denoted as the slightest of personal slights perceived by the child.

Expecting things is not the same thing as preferring things from children. When you expect something from a child, depending on the developmental capacity of the child, you may set yourself up for disappointment, where you may want to lash out at a child for them not meeting your standards. The idea is not to impose any standards on children, and instead prefer things from them. 

An expectation is punitive, and implies punitive consequences. Preferences for children are non-entitled, meaning you just state them to the child, and then let them do what they do, hoping they will listen to you, but not forcing their hand. I might prefer a child be a certain way, but forcing her to be a certain way is entitlement, and when she feels offended meaning upset or uncomfortable, abuse. 

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them rot and burn in the lake of fire and brimstone, for the pro-spanking and permissive parents shall not exist, but since murder is wrong, they shall only exist in a prison cell. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!