Sparing the Rod

I guess everyone realizes how long it takes to get back in the groove of being home after a trip, especially one that is as extensive as ours was. With the unloading, etc., along with the time change, I just haven't been able to get settled back in. Don went to see his brother yesterday and came back unable to talk (I know, that could be an enjoyable experience at times but not when you are not feeling well). I think it must be allergies since he was all right when he left home. Nevertheless, he took a big dose of Nyquil last night and again this morning and he has been lying around the house all day. Of course, the rest isn't hurting him because he seldom slows down enough to do much resting.

What do you think about disciplining children? I have to share a mental picture with you from our trip home. Camping beside us was a couple, 4 children, and a mutt of a dog. Evidently, they were preparing to go to church somewhere that night because the older children, mom, and dad were dressed in suits and nice clothes. The little one, however, who appeared to be about 5, was busy jumping on the cab of their pickup truck (a very new-looking Dodge Ram). He would jump up and down, slide down the windshield, stand on the windshield wiper, dance around on the hood, kick the CB antenna completely off the truck, bending it in the process. He threw everything out of the bed of the truck and completely demolished the remote control (I think it was to a TV). He took his little tricycle, rode it to the middle of the street and left it there; kicked the dog many times; threw a bucket at the RV parked on the other side of them. All of this occurred over an hour's time and in front of either Mom, who was talking on a cell phone, older sister, also on a phone, older brothers, one of whom tried to get him off the truck but he would scream and climb back on, throwing his shoes at his brother. I went for the camera because I figured no one would believe it, but the older brother saw me aiming it, ran to his dad so I put the camera away. Dad came out, looked in the bed of the truck, and went back inside the camper. Personally, I think the time had come that a spanking on the proper part of the anatomy was necessary. It never happened. Destruction was taking place and parents were allowing it. In this case, I would say the parents were the children by allowing such behavior to occur and by "sparing the rod". Now, do you know why there is no discipline in the schools? I was only an observer but my blood was boiling. Don wonders if the truck may have belonged to someone else. Why would the owner of a new truck allow such destruction to take place? I'm glad my Dad didn't see this!