Why can't you just ground me like Stacy's parents?

If you've tried it, you know parenting is hard work. You know it's easier to pander your lazy side and let kids do what they want, rather than what they ought.

You've probably also encountered the frustration of being "rewarded" for your parenting efforts by children complaining you never let them have any fun or that you're overprotective.

It can be difficult to remember and effectively communicate that we discipline because we love.

I heartily recommend the following 2 messages from Chris Brauns, which he thinks and/or communicates when discipline is not heartily received as intended, for their own good, as an evidence of love.

Message #1: I love you too much to teach you that you can make bad choices without any consequences. As someone has said, “Choose to sin, choose to suffer.” Don’t be deceived God cannot be mocked. You reap what you sow. (Galatians 6:7-8)

Message #2: All your life, I have been willing to die for you. I can honestly tell you that it came down to your life or my life, I would give up mine on your behalf. So, if I am willing to die for you, then having you upset with me because I am protecting you is a relatively small thing in my world. If protecting you, means you being mad at me, then so be it.”

Cf. Hebrews 12:5-8
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (ESV)