I have my doubts about her mom "spanking" the kid. Spanking is meant to instruct. Beating a kid is not spanking, and does not instruct. No surprise it didn't "take".
I admire Tonya for ability to survive. She does what has to be done to survive, no self pity. She is a tough cookie, and not strung out on drugs, booze, or government welfare.
Could we say “spoiling the rod” does nobody good.
Such things bring overreactions which play into overweening government nannydom.
The big problem is that people who should know the New Testament well seem satisfied to live in the Old.
“She is a tough cookie, and not strung out on drugs, booze, or government welfare”
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Yup, she’s been doing roofing for a living, even though she’s married (happily this time) and they have a son.