Discipline and Christian discipleship

A few nights ago, I was contemplating on the issue of how and when we should begin disciplining Sophie (i.e. some people propose that you should start disciplining your child from the moment he/she enters the world, while others say that it is too soon to discipline your child before 6 months of age) -  when an article I read gave me much to think about. 

I don't remember who wrote it, or I'd quote him/her, but the writer went along the lines of this: why do we have to always think of "discipline" as punishments or reinforcements meted out by an authoritative figure following certain behaviours in order to modify them? While these cannot be always avoided, why not think instead of the "discipline" of our children as age-appropriate processes of learning limits, boundaries and healthy habits in the context of secure parent-child relationships? In this case, it is never too early to begin disciplining children - and yes, babies. 

I like the perspective this writer offered (and yes, we have begun disciplining Sophie to trust us, first things first - and believe me, this is both fun and discipline for her parents). But in light of Christian discipleship, I would like to add that discipline should also be:

(1) a process of deepening - the deepening of a child's trust and love for his/her parents;  the deepening of the child's sense of belonging to his/her parents and the family; the deepening of the parent-child relationship; and the deepening of a parent's knowledge of his/her child (and vice versa) with regards to his/her personality, quirks, vulnerabilities and strengths.

(2) an ingredient of holistic child development - and thus, the formation of a mature, confident and yet humble adult person who knows the love of God, loves God and loves others. 

(3) a way for the child to learn and accept the responsibility of abiding in Christ as the ultimate means of soul/heart transformation, and thus, be an active and creative participant in his/her disciplining.