Did you know
that animals discipline their young? I never knew this until I read this
chapter and it was quite fascinating! Should we learn anything from the animal
kingdom since they can be awfully savage in the wilderness? I can't stand to
watch the wild animal shows and watch a lion viciously attack a zebra. It's
definitely not something I want to be entertained by. However, the Pearls aren't using
these animal traits to show us how we can learn from the animals! They are using these verses ~
Go to the
ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise {Proverbs 6:6}.
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of
the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall
teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee {Job 12:7,
8}.
Even God believes that animals can teach us some things! Imagine that?
"To establish discipline and boundaries with their young as well as with
others, wild dolphins generally use posturing gestures such as tail-slapping,
tooth raking, or face-to-face head-nodding, which may culminate in
jaw-clapping. When dolphins and whales can't get the surrender they need from
their young, they may hold them underwater for longer than
is comfortable in order to re-establish their dominance and
parental authority." {In the Presence of His Beings by
Bobbie Sandoz-Merrill}
No, parents shouldn't do these things with their children, but they
should lovingly discipline them. The purpose for the animals disciplining their young is for their protection, so they won't wander off and get
lost.
It is common to observe horses, cats, and dogs as they reprimand their young with a quick nip. Chimps and gorillas will nip and/or swat with
their hands. If you take a puppy away from its mother too early, it will have a
tendency to bite too hard when playing...But if you leave it with Mom a few
more weeks, it will have learned to be gentle, because she employed
corporal discipline to teach it to respect boundaries...In nature, the
mother always wins.*
Mothers always win in nature but in the human race these days, the
children are winning more than the mothers. Children should never rule the
home; it is the parent's responsibility to do this. Never be afraid of disciplining your children and letting them know that you will win and be the one in charge who sets the standards, while they are young. Remember, discipline isn't punishment. Punishment
requires children to suffer for their mistakes, whereas discipline teaches
children to learn from their mistakes.* Discipline is to train our children to have self-control, protection, and to better their
life. If a mother is consistent in the discipline of her children, she will
rarely have to spank them. Yes, children can learn quickly if lovingly disciplined
to do the right thing, so they can grow up and be productive adults in
society.
"Every farmer knows that a chick hatched in an incubator and
raised without a hen is not likely to sit on her eggs and care for her young
because she has never experienced parental nurturing. We see the same
behavioral pattern in children raised in an orphanage from birth; without
having experienced loving parental care, when they are grown they tend to be
deficient in parental instincts.*
This explains why so many women today struggle with homemaking skills and raising their children. They weren't trained or modeled by their mothers since their mothers were out giving their time and energy to a career instead. Don't let this happen to your children. Yet, another reason for mothers to be home full-time with their children raising and disciplining them. It will benefit your children for a lifetime!
By the way, look who commented on a Facebook thread that I posted about my viral post on the UK newspaper. You might say I was a bit excited! :)
*Quotes from the book.
By the way, look who commented on a Facebook thread that I posted about my viral post on the UK newspaper. You might say I was a bit excited! :)
