Many parents think that co-sleeping is the irresponsible choice as a parent. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents avoid co-sleeping at all costs. However, the fact of the matter is that not only is co-sleeping recommended in the Bible, but also, co-sleeping can prevent child sexual abuse.
Righteous co-sleeping is a part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission, with the burden of proof falling squarely onto parents. 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 here to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This highlighted word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to serve children selflessly, just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.
The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parents, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of offensive touch or speech stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.
Bedtime refusal is a leading excuse for parents punishing their children. It is common knowledge that children under age 6 usually refuse to go to bed. Most parents interpret this behavior as the child "undermining" the "authority" of parents. However, the fact of the matter is that children under age 6 are nor yet ready to sleep on their own. Most children under the age of 6 have primal fears of being devoured by predators. You might think that predators are a thing of the past. You would be wrong. Most child sexual abuse comes in the form of a bedtime ritual, with the abuser barging in on the child and raping the child. However, Christian mothers in the Early Church solved this problem by co-sleeping next to their child, possibly using herself as a human shield against the sexual wrath of fathers.
The main excuse for parents not co-sleeping next to their children comes from fearmongering on the part of pediatricians and mental health professionals serving children, with frightening terms such as "sleep dependence". However, children growing up in the Early Church slept next to mothers, with this co-sleeping setup usually ending at the onset of puberty, which was when children usually wanted their own place to sleep. However, even in the case of extended co-sleeping, all co-sleeping has an end to it, with extended co-sleeping being usually due to autism, ADHD, and/or bipolar disorder. I myself did not leave my mothers bed until I turned 16, which was when I wanted to assert my independence.
Co-sleeping is the centerpiece in forming a secure attachment between parent and child. Maybe some older children can sleep on their own, but at what cost to the child? The family bed in the Early Church was nude in terms of setup, with children snuggling warmly next to mothers, with the mother laying between fathers and children, shielding the children from the father's sexual wrath.
The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever 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 day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!