This is my first time to start a thread on the PB. I have enjoyed reading this board for a couple of years and really appreciate the wisdom that everyone shares. This board had been very edifying for my family and me.

I have 3 covenant children: a 4 1/2 girl; and 2 boys - one is almost 3, and one is 8 months.

The main mode of discipline in our home is the use of the rod. I sit my child down and point out their sin by using the law of God, then I tell them that they can never fulfill the law and I always point them to Christ. We then pray and then I spank them. After this process, I feel like we are restored.

My question is this: With our two older children, is it OK to withhold privileges for a time as a form of discipline? For example, not letting them ride their bike for a week.

My thoughts are this: 1) They may be too young to understand the correlation between the sin and the loss of privilege and thus I may be exasperating my children and 2) the use of the rod is "enough" discipline and any more would be "punishment".

I can understand maybe not letting them have ice cream that day (as additional discipline), but my point is "extending" the discipline over several days. Is that healthy and is that biblical?

God disciplines me for my sins, but he doesn't punish me for my sins - they have been punished on Christ.

Any thoughts would be gladly welcomed!

__________________
Mike Dudleson
Heritage Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Edmond, OK