The headline to one “Dear Abby” column read, “Mom spares the rod and earns child’s contempt.” The letter read:
Dear Abby,
My problem is my mother. She’s too lenient! After she gets angry and punishes me, she often will apologize. Why should she, when I had the punishment coming?
Mixed-Up in Cleveland
Abby replied,
Dear Mixed-Up:
Your mother (like many others) fears you will …
Nashville: Abingdon Press, Susanna, Mother of the Wesleys pp. 58–59, by Rebecca Lamar Harmon