would you ever?

Question

would you ever smack your child or do you already? if yes why?

Answer 1

Yes. I believe that methods of parenting have become much too lenient. Psychologists today will tell you that you should only use positive reinforcement and that you should explain yourself as much as possible (instead of saying "I told you so," for example, you should explain why you're telling them to do something). So now you have adults explaining themselves to eight-year-olds. I continue to believe that children need discipline when it's warranted, explanations when those are warranted, and love always. Children are not our equals and they should not be treated like our buddies ... they need discipline so they can learn self-control, which is what you need to survive peer pressure, heartbreak, etc.

That said, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "smack." If you mean across-the-face, black-eye smack, I may have to change my answer. :-)

Answer 2

When a child is a toddler and learning a smack on the bottom or hand causes a reinforcement of bad happening associated with certain actions such as touching a hot stove. As children grow older smacking should no longer be necessary as children can learn through talking to them and other forms of punishment. It would not do much good to smack a 15 year old but punish them with something they see as important to them.

Answer 3

Depends on what you mean by smack. I use to paddle their behinds when they were younger. I have no problem with a spanking if the reason is right and you are not doing it out of anger. If my children would run in the street you better believe that they would get their behinds spanked. Now if by smacking you mean in the face, no, I never did that.

Answer 4

I once smacked my two year old on her bottom when she ran away from me and into the street and was nearly hit by a car. If the car hadn't have seen her and stopped she would have for sure been hit. I only did it to scare her so that she would never do it again. I then (because of what almost happened and because of what I did) proceeded to cry for the rest of the afternoon.