Do you spank your children?
By Shar11
@Shar11 (419)
United States
January 11, 2007 10:45am CST
When I was growing up it seemed it was pretty normal to get a spanking for misbehaving...
When I became a parent myself I decided that I would not use any type of physical punishment..It just didn't sit well with me and I felt in a way to do such a thing was not really teaching my child right from wrong but merely using fear to get her to behave..
Don't get me wrong I believe disipline is one of the best gifts of love you can give to your child. And I would consider myself a strict parent at times...I just chose to use other methods..
I have always laid out the rules clearly and made sure when they were broken there were consequences...A big key I think is always remaining consistant...I don't give out warning unless I am prepared to follow through..
Another thing I do is chose my battles carefully..I dont have a gazillion rules but chose a few really important ones and show her there will be no ifs ands or buts if they are broken...
I noticed that because I was consistant with disipline early on, be it time-out or taking away privledges, I don't have many problems with her now...She understands I am fair and flexiable but also knows what the limits are as well as what the consquences will be for breaking one of the rules..She is a very well behaved and respectful child and I was able to achieve that without spanking...
How do you feel about spanking and disipline in general?
9 responses
@jbones32103 (717)
• United States
16 Jan 07
When everything else doesn't work, yes my husband and I spank our children. We never spank out of anger. That is completely wrong and parents too might need to take a time out.
1 person likes this
@erminiasanjose (1588)
• Philippines
20 Jan 07
I have two sons and I don't spank them. There are many ways of disciplining children and spanking should be the last recourse. My children are good enough that spanking is not necessary.
@Camsha (3)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Well first of all I've got spanked when I was a child. By that you would think I would believe in that,but I don't really agree with it. It's not the only way to discipline your child. Spanking can work because it puts fear into children and most times they will cooperate. Me personally, I don't like the idea of hitting a little child they're so fragile to me physically and mentally and I just couldn't stand hurting them in that way. So I feel you have to just teach your kid right from wrong, always keep them in check, discipline by taking away privileges and having them do work.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
20 Jan 07
I'm for discipline..children crave it from parents, whether or not people would actually believe that, and consistency is the key to discipline. However, I completely disagree with spanking. I think it's one of the worst things you can do to a child. I was spanked when I was younger, it only made me act out more. And, to be honest, that seems to be how children respond to physical punishment. They act our more, and push the limits. Child eventually will begin to hate and resent their parents for this type of punishment. And to make matters worse, some parents can completely lose control. They can take spanking to a whole other level. It can escalate into full blown abuse. I do not advocate spanking for those reasons. It should not be done.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
20 Jan 07
I only have an 11.5 month old so I haven't really had to spank him yet. I have spanked his hand a couple of times for pulling on things he shouldn't or poking the dogs in the eyes. He knows what "no" means and we are teaching him that there are consequences. I feel bad because I don't want him to only respond to no because he thinks he is going to get his hands spanked, but at the same time I think that is definitely better than him just going ahead and poking the dogs in the eyes or pulling something down on his head.
When he gets older, we might or might not spank him. We will try to discipline in other ways, but sometimes it doesn't work. When I was little all my mom had to do was tell me I would get spanked and that was enough for me. My little sister on the other hand would tell my mom "I don't care!" and continue to do it even after my mom spanked her for it. Adding extra chores would work best for her. All kids are different. You have to do what works for EACH of your children.
@erminiasanjose (1588)
• Philippines
20 Jan 07
I have two sons and I don't spank them. There are many ways of disciplining children and spanking should be the last recourse. My children are good enough that spanking is not necessary.
@jadeeyed2 (5)
• United States
20 Jan 07
Each child is different. If you are aware of that then you also realize that not all children should be disiplined the same way. What works for one may not work for another. Just as learning styles are different. Age also plays a role in how you disipline. Just ask a parent that has a terrible two year old on their hands. I do not believe in hitting a child but a swat on the bum to get their attention doesn't hurt. It can actually let them know you mean business. I would prefer that what I said goes for their own safety and wellbeing. If you are not serious enough and they don't think they need to listen can have dire consequences.
