This is the first post in the “Fear and Parenting” series.
Have you ever heard the phrase “parenting by fear”? I have. It is used by Christians and non Christians alike, and is used almost exclusively in the negative sense. “Parenting by Fear” is also a poorly defined phrase. It is often used to refer to anyone making a choice that is more restrictive than the person using the phrase.
Thus, “parenting by fear” bears thinking about more clearly.
Let’s try it together. What is parenting by fear (biblically)? What is it not (biblically)? Can we define biblically the motives and actions of a hypothetical mother? Does “parenting by fear” comprise several different motives or actions? Is the emotion of fear ever something a Christian parent should feel?