pixiedustboo

I don't think the government should intervene unless the child is being abused. Spanking is not abusing...though I wouldn't be adverse to the idea that couples should perhaps have child rearing classes before giving birth. I'm not saying they'd have to rear that child by the book, but it might help some parents. I think sometimes people need to know they aren't alone in their different frustrations and not all parents want to spank a child - yet they still want them to listen and they don't know how to go about getting that result without the punishments.



I think depending on how it's used corporal punishment is a must with some kids. Time outs and little tasks don't always get the desired result. I do think however some parents are too liberal with their 'corporal' punishments and it doesn't leave the desired result if you don't back up that hand. (i.e. There is a little boy the boys are friends with who gets spanked with a wooden spoon -from what I hear- quite a bit and he is still a little brat and he doesn't listen at all. So how is spanking him helping?)

I've been babysitting for the same family for over 4 years and the parents have both given me permission to discipline as I see fit.

They are both (from things I hear from the kids) liberal in their physical punishments (spanking - never with a 'tool'). The listen to their father out of fear and the listen to their mother...ah...when she screams.

The kids are not afraid of me and I don't have to yell to get every little thing I asked them to do done. (Though I have certainly yelled at times). I have slapped one hand and one butt in 4 years.

I think sometimes a physical punishment is needed, within reason. For instance, when Connor was younger he was trying to stick the end of a spoon in a light socket. I took it away from him, he grabbed another one from the drawer and this went on three times. On the third time I slapped him on the hand. He has never tried it with me since.

It was just recently I slapped a butt (literally, one slap). Connor slammed his foot down on mine on purpose and got a smack on the behind for it. He's been doing things like that lately to his brother, Keri and sometimes to me. The time-outs weren't working. Finally I told him he does it again and he'll be getting like for like. I'll not have him being a bully.

I really think if some parents worked with their kids more, and upheld what they wanted done the first time and not the fifth, when they've lost patience and go straight to spanking that physical punishments would not be needed anywhere as much as they are used for some.

IMHO as a childless woman. lol.

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