Even Infants Should Be Spanked Promptly and Painfully
Even the youngest infant understands causation at some level, but the younger the child the more immediately he should be disciplined.
In Douglas Wilson’s own words: 4 quotes from 1999 to 2025, from Federal Husband, Why Children Matter and The Young Turks, each cited to the source.
Even the youngest infant understands causation at some level, but the younger the child the more immediately he should be disciplined. The Bible teaches this, “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Prov. 13:24). Discipline must be painful—“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful” (Heb. 12:11a). If the discipline is not painful, then it does not qualify as discipline. The tenderness of parents, particularly of mothers, is a common point of stumbling. This tenderness which refuses to discipline is a “kindness” which kills. God has required us to inflict pain on those who are dear to us.
A father may have confused his sentimentalism with a biblical love for his children. But any attitude a father has which does not discipline is not love but some sort of destructive counterfeit. Men who do not discipline their children have contempt for them.
If you are fine with corporal punishment for juvenile delinquents or for rowdies or hoodlums, how much more will you accept a judicious application of a mini-rod to a mini-person? Also, I think swats should generally begin after the child is mobile and can get into things. Occasionally you need a flick for a nursing baby, but it should be little things like saying “no biting.”
I do believe that if a toddler is told to take his nap and he gets up, I don't have any objection to godly, loving corporal punishment for sensible infractions that are sensibly applied... [Cenk Uygur: "How much can you hit your kid?"] What I teach people is that it should sting but not damage.