Co-sleeping: Why the Bible recommends co-sleeping in context

Many parents think that co-sleeping is not a good idea, usually citing that children might become "dependent" on the co-sleeping arrangement, and not be able to sleep on their own. Many pediatricians spread these myths about co-sleeping, recommending against it in their practices. However, the Bible recommends co-sleeping as a means to guard a child from predators, both human and animal.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), which refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as the parent last, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in return from children or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of children. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this 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 and vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. Parents are to be extensions of Christ in the family home, sacrificing for their child, just as Christ sacrificed for His children, with children resting safely and securely in the sacrifice of parents. Parents labor, toil, and work, in order to win over the good graces of children, with children resting in such love and good works, being an extension of God to fear and revere. Attachment parenting was the established norm in Ancient Jewish culture, including the Early Church. In Ancient Israel, attachment parenting was mandated under Jewish customary law. In the Early Church, attachment parenting was mandated under church ordinance. This Greek word lifts up the attachment parenting context of the Bible, making it relevant to all.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, including child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and understood in the context in which it was given, as a prohibition on all punitive parenting, including any punishment or controlling demeanor towards a child. Patrias potestas translates to "power to the father" or else "power to the parent", and refers to the right of the father under Greco-Roman law to police his home as he saw fit. There was no analogous law under Jewish law, including Christian ordinance. Punitive parents, in the Old Testament, were put to death by way of bloodletting for punishing their child too many times, with parents given many warnings before being executed for their abuse as parents.

Children often refuse to go to sleep on their own around ages 2-5, and many parents think such is a sign of defiance in a child. In reality, children that age aren't ready to sleep on their own. Such children have primal instincts that render being left in a room all alone to be scary and frightening for them. This is because, in biblical times, mothers would sleep next to children to guard them from predators. This included human predators, meaning sexual predators. It is wise to co-sleep with your child because no sexual predator can successfully strike out against a child when the mother is right there. Co-sleeping actually prevents child sexual abuse, because mothers, naturally, are wired to protect their children at all costs from a sexual predator in the home, and sexual predators know that.

Most adult men in Ancient Israel and the Early Church were pedophiles towards their children, but the abstinent type. Most fathers, if they weren't careful, had the capacity to commit acts of sexual violence against their own children. Child sexual abuse was seen, even then, as wicked and evil, and an act that defiled the abuser next to their victim. Mothers, therefore, guarded children with co-sleeping methods, even from their own fathers, protecting their children. In the New Testament, mothers could back up their boundaries that they set with the fathers of their children with divorce (see 1 Cor. 7:10-11).

How do you know when your child is ready to sleep on their own? Children, at varying ages, shake off the co-sleeping closeness and intimacy of parents, and seek to sleep on their own. This usually happens starting at age 6, and then at varying ages afterwards, when children assert their independence and sleep somewhere on their own. In biblical times, this was a challenge, meaning parents playfully challenged their children - especially fathers - to sleep on their own, and keep their word, and if they couldn't, they were welcomed with open arms beside mother at night.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be forever cast into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!