Spankings or TIMEOUT???? Which method do you find effective and why?

I don't think that spanking is the answer. When i have children, i will try the "time out" and "grounding" options. I think that spanking them just teaches them it's okay to hit.

Me too. I will spank only if I feel they are doing something hazardous, like playing with fire or running into the road. I figure a spanking hurts much less than a burn or getting hit by a car and I also tell them so. I guess it's to leave an impression more than anything else. I do not use anything besides my palm and never bare butt! I'm good for the 'long talks', letting them know how I feel and why, also asking them. Validation is an important element in parenting. I usually find my children's 'currency' and use it for punishment or encouragement. My Daughter's is her best friend and my Son's is his video game. They are pretty well-rounded kids though and rarely need punishment at all.

I spank in the rear of my son of 7 only for very important misbehaviour.

It totally depends on the child and how they respond to what.

Lets examine what the Bible says. Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. It's amazing how much we can learn from it! :)

I was never given the options of time outs when I was a kid, the belt was all I saw. I've tried it all with my kids. Time outs to them are like playtime. I take away their most treasured possessions but if all else fails I will spank. Never have to much, though.

1) Spanking can be habit forming; you can start doing it without thinking. As adults it is not acceptable to hit other adults. Doing so may land you in jail for assault. Children are adults in training; the same rules should apply. 2) It can promote poor self-image. People do not feel worthwhile if their body is not respected. We all want our children to have a high self-esteem. 3) It teaches children that it is O.K. to hit others and may lead to violence with younger siblings. 4) As parents it sets a bad example. You are teaching your child to express their anger with violence. We must teach our children to express themselves peacefully. 5) Last with all the war in the world we need to teach our children that people are not for hitting. Adults are here to help children not to hurt them. Try something new if your child is misbehaving. Take a moment to consider the following things before you discipline them. 1) Look at your child’s needs. Are they trying to get attention or express themselves? 2) Encourage your child to tell you what’s bothering them. 3) Redirect their behavior; show them a way to express themselves without misbehaving. For example show throw the ball for the dog, not at the dog. 4) Change the environment, if your child keeps pulling on the table cloth and knocking things over consider putting away the tablecloth. 5) Lower your expectations; children are young and don’t always know they are misbehaving. Try accepting them for who they are.

Id rather issue a time out to a child. I was spanked when I was younger, I dont think its the best way to raise a kid.

it just depends on what the offense was. I do disapline with spanking only when nothing else has worked or when they did something they know in fact was wrong. I hate spanking but it is nessisary at times.

Depends on the child. Timeout can be effective if you tell them the purpose for it. Spanking maybe a quick swat on the hand to get there attention if something is dangerous.

Sometimes it is better to be punished than to repeat the same thing again so i think spanking is more effective

I think it depends on the child, as well as the reason for the punishment. My son is still too young for timeout. My husband has spanked him a couple of times, but it seems that he only learned that hitting was an acceptable action when he didn't get his way. So I'm not sure what method we'll use when he gets old enough, probably some of each.

i believe in both, i was spanked when i was a child and it done me no harm, but since they took corporal punishment out of the schools here in Northern Ireland, the kids are just Mental, no respect for adults, in fact i have heard and been witness to adults being beaten up by groups of children, so i totally agree with spanking.

I feel that time-outs are effective for most situations. However, some situations require more than just a time-out as punishment. As you mentioned, when they put themselves/others in danger. I know when I was growing up I only got spanked once. Time-out and grounding usually worked best with me.

I rarely spank my kids, my wife does enough of that. I prefer using 'matter-o-fact' voice, always gets the attention it deserves. I don't scare I just speak (you speaking with lots of authority) and not even shouting is required. Works for me so far

neither method works on my child she be 4 this month

I find that time out works more effectively than spanking. I believe that violence promotes violence and if your kids see you spanking or hitting then there going to think thats how to solve problems.

I used spanking as a last resort, usually when he was doing something dangerous. Otherwise it was "quiet time" spent by himself for a certain amount of time. This was many years ago (son is now 30) but I use the same principles now with the children of friends if I am looking after them.

I find that time out and talking to them is the best way. when my kids are doing something they shouldnt be, like fighting, being mouthy or whatever, I send them to their room. they are allowed to come out when they feel they have calmed down and are ready to behave themselves. I also explain to them exactly what they did that caused them to get sent to their room so they they fully understand what they were punished for, I also use taking the video game systems away as a punishment. and while I respect the fact that everyone has their own opinions and their right to them, I feel that spanking my children just hurts them, and teaches them that hitting is an ok thing to do, I have tought them that hitting to solve a problem will solve nothing, so spanking would seem to contradict that, time out works for me and my kids so that is what I use.

example is best