Swaddling blankets: How to pacify your child's cries in public

Many parents want to know how to pacify a child when out and about in public. This is a common want on the part of parents. Most American parents don't want a child crying out loud in public. The fact of the matter is that the use of swaddling blankets is the solution to a child crying out loud in public.

Wrapping up children next to their mother in swaddling blankets is 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 perform good works for children, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works is defined as doing good things for children, meeting the every vulnerable need of children, 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 here 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 parenting, 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 damages or offenses 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 is 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 children, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as deacon. 

Whenever mothers and children under age 6 were out and about in public, mom wrapped up her child next to her bosom in swaddling blankets. The swaddling blankets were tied from the left breast, then across the dot to the right leg, or vice versa, or both in the case of twins. From there, the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - were tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress worn by mothers that resembled an apron. When children cried in public, mothers held the child closer to her bosom in swaddling blankets. The swaddling blankets were made of velvet, which was grown throughout the Ancient Middle East.

What is so special about swaddling blankets? When children were worn by mothers in swaddling blankets, their cries went soft and muted. Mothers could hear the cries of their children, but other people could not. Not only that, but children enjoyed the view when wrapped up next to the bosom of mothers.

Many parents have had to deal with a child kicking and screaming in the middle of the store. However, children usually cry out loud when they want mom, with the cry being a deathly, screeching cry that no loving mother could ignore. However, these same cries were pacified by swaddling blankets, meaning only tears without wailing. Swaddling blankets are a quick fix for a happy, cooperative child. 

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!