Crying: Why crying is not bad behavior in children

Many children in America are punished merely for crying. This is a common thing that children are punished for. Most parents think that their children are "undermining parental authority". However, the fact of the matter is that children crying is not bad behavior. Crying is instead a mode of communication for basic needs.

Tending to the cries of children 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 their children, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works here refers to doing good things for children, meeting their every vulnerable need, 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 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 offensive touch perceived by a child, 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 Christians who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing their children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment 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.

Many parents punish their children when they cry. Crying, in many American homes, is deemed as a means for a child to "undermine parental authority". However, the fact of the matter is that Christian parents in the Early Church tended to the EVERY cry of their children, responding to the cries of a child with sustaining warmth. From there, the mother diagnosed the need before meeting it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Whatever needs that the child cried out for, they got it.

Most crying takes place during the first 6 years of childhood. The main reason for children crying all of the time back then was separation anxiety. Most children under age 6 morbidly feared that mom would "go away and never come back". Babies likely cry to be held for these reasons - they want to know that you are still there for them. Children between ages 2-6 clearly have separation anxiety. Cries of separation anxiety in the Early Church were deathly, screeching cries that no loving mother could ever ignore. Children up until age 6 cried out loud because they needed something, with that something usually being warmth and attachment with you as a mother.

Whenever children cry, an adversarial response brings up an adversarial child. The idea is to give up the fight, and give into the cries of children. They aren't battling you. They need you. Christian parents in the Early Church did not battle with their crying child, but instead tended to the every cry of their children. In most cases, all the child needed was mom. Sometimes, children needed other needs, such as food, water, shelter, or transportation. But, the first thing mothers tested for back then was attachment needs, with the core attachment need being attention. 

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!

Righteous co-sleeping: Why God wants children to sleep next to their children

Many parents think that co-sleeping is the wrong way to deal with a child who refuses to go to bed on their own. Bedtime refusal is a common excuse for punishing a child. However, it is normal for children to want to avoid bedtime. The fact of the matter is that children avoid bedtime because they are too young to sleep on their own. Co-sleeping not only is the way to deal with bedtime refusal, but also helps in preventing child sexual abuse.

Righteous co-sleeping is the centerpiece of the doctrine of mutual submission, with the burden of proof falling squarely onto the 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 children are to perform good works for their children, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works here refers to doing good things for your child, meeting the child's every need. 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 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 was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing their children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment 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 deacon.

It is common knowledge that children refuse to go to bed on their own. Bedtime refusal is a common excuse for parents to punish their children. However, children under age 6 are too young to sleep in their bed alone. This is because children under age 6 experience morbid fear of being devoured by predators. You might think that there are no predators today. You would be wrong. Most child sexual abuse happens as a bedtime ritual, with the abuser sneaking into the child's room and raping her. However, child sexual abuse was rare next to non-existent in the Early Church, and that is because the mother was right there, perhaps using herself as a human shield to protect her children from the sexual wrath of fathers.

A common excuse for not co-sleeping next to children comes from fearmongering on the part of pediatricians and mental health professionals serving children, with terms such as "sleep dependence". However, children co-slept next to mothers every night in skin-on-skin format, until the onset of puberty, which is when most children wanted their own place to sleep. However, even in the context of extended co-sleeping, there is always an end to your child wanting to co-snuggle with you at night. Most of the time, extended co-sleeping happens in the case of autism, ADHD, and/or bipolar disorder. 

I myself was punished by my father for wanting to sleep next to mom. At one point, he grabbed me by the throat. He wanted sleep with my mother. For many children, bedtime is a source of contention with parents. Maybe parents would then have time for intimacy, but at what cost to the child? Just give up the bedtime fight, and give into the desire for closeness that your child has for you.

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!

"Benign" deprivation: Why children need ALL of their needs

Many parents buy into the concept of "benign" deprivation. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents believe in denying children some of their needs in order to save the convenience of parents for what children "really" need. However, the Bible, when understood in context, prohibits denying your child any of their needs, including benign wants.

"Benign" deprivation is a violation 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. 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 their children, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works is defined here as doing good things for your child, meeting your child's every vulnerable need, 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 was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christians who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing their 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 deacon.

Most American parents allow themselves to deprive their children of certain needs in order to make room for what their children "really" need. However, Christian parents in the Early Church met the EVERY need of their children. Whenever children cried, mothers cooed at their children before picking up the child, and from there, she diagnosed the need before meeting it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Whatever children needed, they got it.

Most American parents deprived their children of needs by telling their children "no" all of the time. However, children do not need to hear the word "no" all of the time. Save the word "no" for when a child's request is unsafe, unworkable, and/or immoral. Children usually cried when denied a request, in which case the mother gave the crying child an explanation and reassurance. Even then, Christian parents usually declined the want using nicer sounding phrases such as "that won't work" or "that can't happen". 

Children need to hear the word "yes" far more often than the word "no" . Even a benign want is still a need, as depriving children of benign wants alone could harm the parent-child bond. Most benign wants constitute an attachment need, and thus should be treated as a vulnerable need in a child. The only wants that a parent could deny their children was harmful wants.

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!

Mutual respect: Why respect is to be earned in parenting

Many parents today feel entitled to respect from their children. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents insist on respect where there is none deserving. However, the fact of the matter is that parents, like everyone else, has to earn their respect in life. 

The concept of mutual respect 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 parents and children in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to perform good works for their child, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works here refer to doing good things for your child, meeting their every vulnerable need, 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 parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishment, 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 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 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 deacon. 

Respect for parents was a thing in biblical times. However, this respect for parents came in the form of closeness to parents, not fear of parents. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever the mother went, so did her child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children at home were constantly held by mother, either in her loving arms, or on mom's back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children at home ranged next to mothers, following mom from room to room, not allowing mom out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mom would "go away and never come back". Whenever children cried, mothers cooed before picking up their child, and from there, she diagnosed the need before meeting it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Whatever the child needed, they got it. When mothers and children under age 6 were out and about in public, mom wrapped up her child next to her bosom in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - being tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress that resembled an apron. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with this skin-on-skin warmth happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which was when most children wanted their own place to sleep. Children went naked wherever they went, with mothers also going naked within the context of the family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate easy skin-on-skin sustaining warmth, with children experiencing the rays of skin-on-skin contact merely when they were picked up by mom.

Children growing up in the Early Church were not prohibited from speaking against their parents. Instead, respect for parents, in adults, came in the form of caring for parents as they age. Even then, some Early Christians wanted nothing to do with their abusive parents, and that was respected even by the council. See also 1 Cor. 5:11. 

Respect for parents is earned, meaning not bestowed on a silver platter for free. Parents are deserving of absolutely nothing from anybody. Not even respect. Not even forgiveness. Not even affection. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. These good things come from good works for children. 

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!

Honor parents: Understanding the Fifth Commandment in context

Many parents feel entitled to honor from their children. Most American parents insist on respect and honor from their children. However, honoring parents, in biblical times, meant something different than it does today. Ultimately, you can honor your parents by taking care of them as they age.

The Fifth Commandment states in Exodus 20:12 KJV:

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

This commandment allows for adult children to shun their abusive parents. All adult children had to do in order to honor their parents was to care for their parents as they age. However, parents could be shunned if they refused to apologize for being abusive towards their child. 

The Fifth Commandment is repeated in Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: as 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 children. 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 their children, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works here refers to doing good things for children, meeting their child's every vulnerable need, 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 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. 

Most parents today punish their children when they speak against their parents. However, the fact of the matter is that the commandment to honor your parents does not prohibit speaking against your parents. All that the Fifth Commandment means is to care for your parents as they age. 

The commandment to honor parents stops when the parents are dishonorable, including if they were abusive towards you. Apart from a full and heartfelt apology on the part of abusive parents, children had the right to shun their abusive parents. If you have abusive parents, know that you owe nothing to your abusive parents.

I myself received an apology from both my parents later, after they abused me. However, even then, I give back to my mother by paying the restaurant bill for her. However, when the the topic comes up, I point out my trauma from pro-parent parents. I myself have a legal trauma from pro-spanking legal defenses, and all those who support Section 509 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. It is okay to hold your parents accountable for any abuse that they perpetrated towards you. However, since my parents apologized genuinely, I must forgive them as per my Christian beliefs, and give back in some way. 

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!

Expanding child abuse definitions: Why the Bible calls for more laws protecting children from abuse

Many parents believe falsely that the ancients had no concept of child abuse. This is a common belief amongst American parents. Most American parents oppose changing the child abuse definitions. However, the Bible calls for expanding child abuse definitions, with child abuse being defined in the Bible as whatever the child perceives as abusive.  

The Greek root word denoting parental entitlement is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and is defined as, officially speaking, wanting things from children, to the point of imposition. Unofficially speaking, parental entitlement consists of a parent being sorely disappointed when they don't get what they feel that that they deserve from children. Parents are deserving of absolutely nothing from children just for existing. Any parent anger towards a child was seen as parental entitlement then. When this sense of entitlement in parents was perceived by the child as offensive or damaging, it was deemed child abuse. See also Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

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 inn 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. 

The Greek root word translated "they be discouraged" is αθυμέω (Latin: athumeo) and refers to long-term damages, namely trauma. The ancients did have an understanding of trauma. When a child went atheist, it was presumed that the child suffered child abuse at the hands of parents. 

Child abuse is defined under biblical law as anything perceived by the child as abuse. Most children who were abused brought their abusive parents before a council of 3 elders. The council of elders operated in the form of an inquisitorial system of jurisprudence, meaning the council directed the investigation and heard out all of the evidence before coming to a verdict. If found guilty, the parents were excommunicated from all of the Early Christian churches.

All 88 books of the Bible were written with an anti-spanking bias. This is because all of the biblical writers were Jews, and Jews never endorsed punitive parenting of any kind. Even King Solomon only recommended the rod for young adults in the form of judicial corporal punishment, and otherwise gave attachment parenting advice for parents of minor children. Proverbs was intended as poetry, and clearly reads as poetry in the Hebrew.

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!

Righteous pampering: Why God wants you to pamper and baby your children

Many parents hate even the appearance of pampering their children. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents instead want their children to learn hard lessons. However, the Bible, as understood in context, calls for a specific method of pampering and babying children.

Righteous pampering is a part of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission, with the burden of proof falling squarely onto the part of 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 their children, with children resting securely in the good works of parents. Good works here refers to doing good things for children, meeting the child's every vulnerable need, 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) 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 was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing their 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 deacon.

Righteous pampering does not mean just any old pampering, but pampering and babying your child in a certain specific way, using the context as a guidepost. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever the mother went, so did her child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers when at home, either in her loving arms, or else on her back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children ranged next to mothers when at home, following mom from room to room, not allowing mom out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mom would "go away and never come back". Whenever children cried, mothers cooed before picking them up, and from there, she diagnosed the need before meeting it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Whatever the child needed, they got it. When mothers and children under age 6 were out and about in public, mom wrapped up the child next to the her bosom in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - being tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress that resembled an apron. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to parents in skin-on-skin format, with this co-sleeping warmth happening every night, until the onset of puberty, which was when most children wanted their own place to sleep. Children went naked wherever they went, with mothers also going naked within the confines of the family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate easy skin-on-skin sustaining warmth, with children experiencing rays of skin-on-skin contact even when the child was merely picked up. 

Older children - past age 6 - were allowed to play freely outside, naked. Children growing up in the Early Church engaged in wet and messy play. When children played outside, they explored the terrain, venturing farther and farther from home, perhaps playing high-risk games such as marriage, or else simply getting in mud battles. However, children needed to check in with mom first, and tell mom where they were going. Come evening, children were called home, one by one, and were treated to a nice, warm homecooked dinner, after being cleaned up by mom with a handrag. Then, children hopped into the family bed, and recharged next to mom for another day's play.

Children under age 6 were very much protected in the Early Church, in a sheltered way. This was because of environmental hazards such as venomous snakes and scorpions, with there being no antivenom then. Even today, there exist threats to children, namely oncoming cars and would-be kidnappers. A child under age 6 is too young to appreciate these threats, and so they left the home seldom, and even then, only when swaddled to the bosom of mothers. 

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!