My parents believed if you spared the rod, you spoiled the child. The advice came straight out of a Bible scripture. My dad never used a rod on us but settled for the thick leather belt that held up his pants. Mother’s form of punishment and discipline was a slender switch that she cut from the peach tree in our front yard.
I find unlimited humor now about how easily my sisters and I got a whipping for the most rival of things like speaking out of turn or voicing our own opinions, when we should be seen but not heard. Mama would give us “that look” when company came and we knew to keep our mouths shut. And daddy told us in no uncertain terms if we lived under his roof, we musts obey his rules. Back in the day, we were known as model children according to our neighbors and on-lookers. And to be honest, my sisters and I still follow our parent’s wise consul to this day.
Parents were tough with thick skinned years ago. Children who lived in the country didn’t go to the doctor or own a toothbrush. Parents strongly believed in home remedies and used natural ingredients at their own discretion. We seldom enjoyed candy, cookies or ice cream, It was a treat when we were lucky enough to have them.
There was no indoor bathrooms or air conditioning. We got little sleep until midnight because we fought mosquitoes and the oppressive heat that filled the night air. We picked cotton all day long in the summer for school clothes and ate more peas, butter beans, and corn than we should have.
There was little crime because there was nothing to steal. We were poor, but didn’t know it. Doors stayed unlocked and children roamed the countryside with freedom and ease. And people had high morals and were aware of right from wrong in their daily lives.
