What does it mean to SPARE THE ROD and SPOIL THE CHILD?

[RonkonkomaNative]

We have spoiled our children with love and attention. Our hands were never tools of fear.

Me to the kids: Don't make me go in there!!
Sis: What are you going to do when you get there?
Me: I am going to speak to them sternly.

[Nancy739]

The Bible does say in Proverbs 29:15 in a modern translation "Correction and discipline and good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their Mothers ashamed of them."

Some people take discipline way too far to where it boarders on or is child abuse. This is a tragedy as is spanking a child when they had NO IDEA what they did wrong.

Sometimes a spanking is in order when the child fully knows what he or she did was wrong, has zero concern for damage their action caused or could have caused other people, themselves, animals, or property, and has zero respect for the parent.

I did not spank my children because I did not want to make them cry, but there is an age, time, place and circumstance where nothing but a good swat on their rear is going to inspire them to be civilized. Later, I was the one to cry when they grew up to be largely ungrateful, disrespectful, entitled, and selfish. Teach your kids something while you have half a chance.

[Arach Angle]

it means failure teaches us many things and we should not fear using it to teach. But it is a "hard tool" so over use will break/distort what you are trying to build.

[Ramosida]

The rod which is the shepards staff which is messiah which means you must teach your childern the way of the father because if not he will come to ruin lamed is the shepherd staff the only way the child does not get spoiled is by teaching them in the ways of the father