Being afraid of God is the beginning of wisdom. In the old days parents had the final say in raising their children (which is Biblical, Proverbs 13:24), unlike today when spanking your kids is considered a form of child abuse by the heathen world. Proverbs 29:15, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” This Scripture isn't talking about leaving your child alone in any given instance; but rather, it refers to failing to discipline your child throughout their upbringing.

A child left to them self to watch TV, play video games and grow up without the love, teaching and discipline of a caring parent guarantees the future destruction of that child as a dysfunctional adult in society. It is positive character reinforcement for a child to have a healthy amount of fear of being physically disciplined if they do wrong. God put that padded area back there for a reason, that is, spankings when they need it.