1Ki 3:26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

Two women who lived in the same house and who both had an infant son came to Solomon for judgment. One of the women claimed that the other, after accidentally rolling over her own son while sleeping, had exchanged her dead son with hers. The other woman denied this and so both women claimed to be the mother of the living son and said that the dead boy belonged to the other. Well, they didn’t have DNA testing in those days. Solomon knew that the real mother wouldn't want her baby to die. So he said he would cut the baby in half and give half to each of the women. The one who was not the real mother said: “Yes, please cut.” The real mother said: “Please don’t. Just give her the baby.” Rather than see her baby die, she relinquished any claim so the baby could live. Solomon knew at once who the real mother of the baby was. Indeed, a mother’s love is admirable. But, a mother’s love can also spoil the child. Too much love is detrimental to a child’s upbringing. A mother spoils her children by: 1. Doing everything for them. They regret later when their children become lazy children who refuse to do any housework or any work. “If any would not work, neither should he eat” is a good rule to live by in a family (2 Thessalonians 3:10). 2. Excusing their children’s rude behaviour and letting them boss around and not discipline them are the surest ways to spoil the children. God is right: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24). 3. Being overprotective of them. Overprotective mothers think that they are doing a favour for their children by keeping them safe without realising that this parenting style has severe effects on their children’ s personal development. Their children may grow up with low self-esteem. They may also get into all sorts of trouble knowing their mothers will bail them out. We read of mothers who caused commotions in their children’s school because their beloved spoilt children were hurt or disciplined by the teachers. “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29:17). 4. Their own bad examples. Spoilt children usually come from spoilt parents. Children tend to pick up habits and attitudes from their parents. Parents who shout at each other or at their children are more likely to bring up children with the same behaviour. Parents who demonstrate selfishness, hate, pride, impatience, and anger, bring up children who demonstrate the same behaviour. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). A stubborn and rebellious child is as good as a dead child (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Young mothers and fathers, take a cue from your own parents; they have been there, done that. They have seen things you have never seen before; don’t ever think they do not know how to bring up children – you are a living proof they know. “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22). I did not learn parenting from books. I read none of them. The only book I have is the Bible. This is how God wants me to bring up my children: “Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4b). I hope it is yours too. Before we teach our children; teach ourselves.