Strictness in parenting: Why parents should be strict with themselves (as an example to children)

Many parents think that children need parents to be strict with them. I myself am an anti-entitlement Christian conservative, and so I definitely support strictness as a concept. However, who should the strictness be imposed upon? If parents make a good example, why not the parents? Parents should be the first role models of strictness in children.

God's Law states 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 long upon the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to anger: but them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to a Christian standard of discipline for parents in relation to children, namely one that is entitled to nothing in life, and grateful for everything, including in relation to children. Children owe parents nothing, and parents owe children everything, with this leading to a chastened up, Christ-like example in relation to children, with this backed up by a rare, agreed-upon warning that states that something unattainable, unrealistic, or unsafe, is not allowed, as a righteous test to see if the child is capable of heeding directions given their age and developmental level, as is denoted by the Greek root word translated "admonition", which is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia). No direction for any child, of any age, should be absolute. Sometimes, they aren't capable of following an instruction, in which case it was just a righteous test to see if they were developmentally able to comply. The concept is the assumption of innocence in children, thus if they aren't listening, it should be presumed that it is because their brains can't handle the message. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to provocations to anger towards children, as defined as the slightest of personal offenses perceived by the child, including the slightest of unwanted touch perceived by the child. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul and the surrounding legal context then to prohibit all forms of punitive parenting, including punishments and controlling measures such as spanking and corporal punishment. This commandment was in response to Greek Christians who were misusing Scripture to justify their pagan custom of spanking children. The seven verses in Proverbs that depict the rod of correction are repealed verses, as they reference a dated form of judicial corporal punishment unique to the Old Testament - the 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction, administered to an ADULT child of a Hebrew parent, in a courtroom, after as a summary punishment after a conviction of a capital crime. Children then could not be held legally culpable for criminal offenses or civil wrongs that they committed.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. Attachment parenting was the norm in biblical times, with mothers holding their children close, wrapping them up in swaddling blankets, keeping them warm and cozy in the bosom of mothers, in skin-to-skin closeness, with children around age 3 being weaned from mother's breastmilk. Closeness was one of the main goals of Christian parents in the 1st Century, as well as Hebrew parents then as well. Attachment parenting is what leads children to following the example of parents, and is a more time-honored parenting tool than spanking itself - spanking is basically a pagan custom used on children in ancient Greco-Roman society. Attachment parenting then acclimated children to their parents, and thus their example.

Strictness is a good thing, and I can attest as an anti-entitlement Christian conservative. But, strictness in a child should be self-imposed, based on a parent's example and not any sort of force or duress coming from a parent. You can't force a human being to do anything, and a child is a human being. For me, strictness is self-imposed, and I model my self-strictness and self-discipline to the world as a Christian, being the salt and light of the world. You can model to your children a strict example, and then if they trust you and are securely attached to you, they will follow your example.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death, which is Satan's final resting place! Let them descend into the abyss of Hell and torment, suffering God's Wrath for all eternity! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!