To spank or not to spank?

Lady, I don't like spanking, and I avoid when necessary, but on occassion, I do spank. My children know that we love them; they know that we would never hurt them. When I spank, it is usally when they put themselves in a dangerous situation. (Like playing in the street, chasing strange animals, etc.) The spank is meant to tell them that is what COULD happen if they had gotten hurt. Does that make sense? I have mixed feelings about spanking in general. I think the laws have gotten to messed up. I understand why the rules are there. There are a lot of people that take advantage of their children, and beat the life right out of them. I have, however, seen too many discussions about rude teens and how can I get my kids to listen to me? We've become such a society that we are afraid of hurting our children's self-esteem that we don't dare disicpline them. OF course, they become rude. Of course they don't listen. Why should they? Mom and Dad will just send them to their room, where they can play on the computer, watch TV, call their friends, etc. (I have my opinions about that, as well!) What kind of punishment is that? It's a reward, for being naughty. Sorry, I'm getting off my soapbox now. :)

I am absolutely opposed to spanking. hitting is hitting is hitting. To take your hand to another human being is hitting. Sure we call it all kinds of cutesy names "popping" "swatting" etc..., but that never changes the fact that you are hitting another child. Imagine if your spouce or boss resorted to spanking you to get their point across to you. How would you feel? Why are children worth less than the same respect we expect others to give to us? I prefer to teach my children why a certain action is wrong or hurtful. I want them to understand why they must stop. With spanking the only lesson you are sharing is that the action will cause your parents to hit you. That isn't helping them to understand the reality of the situation. To me spanking, even once, even lightly, even when calm and not angry, is still hitting your child. And hitting a child is child abuse.

I don't spank. I dont necessarily think it's bad, but I just dont really feel comfortable doing it. My husband will on rarae occasions, but only when it's something serious, like if our toddler is trying to run into the road or something similar. It has to be a really big deal. I was spanked on occasion and it didn't damage me either, I just don't like doing it.

not to spank! I don't believe in spanking/beating children to discipline them. they might just rebel even more and hold a grudge against you or something lol. well, you never know. spanking them might have an effect on them in some ways. it could probably make them feel insecure or scared to make mistakes in fear that they'll get beaten if they do something wrong. there are many more effective ways to teach children and show our love to them, i don't think spanking should be one of them .

I think there's a difference between spanking to correct and child abuse. Nowadays it seems that doing anything with your child is considered abuse or damaging. Y'know, if my kid's going off in the grocery store can I really not touch him/her to get him to stop? And, no, I definitely do not believe in the ridiculous saying "stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about." I don't have kids, and I'm probably not going to for a long time. And when i do i don't want to spank my children. i didn't when i was growing up, not often anyway. i was never hit or anything. i think there are other ways to deal with disobedience or whatever. but a correction every now and then isn't going to 'damage' your kid.