Would you smack your child?

Question

im watching a programme about parents that smack and that they are proud of it one woman does it after 2 warnings but doesnt smack with her hand but with a spatula etc. I think that it is a disgrace on a parent to smack as they are only children and are innocent and sometimes do not understand. i think smacking makes the situation a whole lot worse.

spank and smack are the same things just different word cos of american and english

Answer 1

SPANK, not smack.

Originally I would have said yes. However, after years of training dogs, I've learned more effective ways of changing/teaching behavior. Sounds silly, but dogs really are a lot like little kids. Authority and respect have nothing to do with physical violence, and spanking IS physical violence.

Spanking, with children and dogs both, builds resentment, sometimes fear, sometimes a need to retaliate. Too many parents foolishly confuse fear with respect. They're kidding themselves. My father was very physical with me. I had NO respect for him. I feared his violence, and hated him, when I was little. As I grew older, my resentment intensified, and so did my defiance.

You get your self-image from your parents. If they're hitting you, what does that say to you about what they think of you?

Answer 2

Children unfortunately don't come with a User Manual. I have a well balanced, happy and successful son of 27 (only child) and the only advice I ever took was that children need a structure within which they can live. They need to know the limits they must not cross and they need to understand that with freedom comes responsibility, even from a very young age. Hopefully you will never have to punish your child but the potential for punishment must be real, present and understood and most importantly, must be carried out if necessary. So often I hear parents threatening their child with some impossible punshment. Children aren't stupid and soon get used to these empty threats. If you are going to threaten your child with a punishment make sure you can and are prepared to carry it out. Smacking always has to be the last resort and by then you have probably lost the argument anyway. Withdrawal of privilege (e.g. grounding) is usually much more effective. The real downside with smacking is that it teaches our children that violence, however "harmless" is acceptable. That is why it has to be used with discretion and avoided wherever possible. I agree that in pampering our children, we are creating a generation which is unable to take risks. We have created this society ourselves (how often have we heard stories like parents suing because their child was hurt and there was no "warning sign" saying "If you climb this tree you may fall and get hurt"). Children need to take risks and understand the consequences of their actions. Yes, falling out of a tree hurts but at least they'll know that, next time they try. But hopefully, they'll try! God save us from this nanny state.....

Answer 3

The only time I smacked my kids (hands only), is if they were about to do something to REALLY hurt themselves. Like touching a hot stove burner or an iron or something along those lines. I think the smack is better than the burn, but gets the message across.
Other than that, I've found taking away a toy or game that they really like works better than anything with my kids now. When they were little, little, time outs did the trick most of the time. They had to stand in the corner facing the wall for a few minutes. They both hated it, so after a few times of time outs if they were being bad I would ask if they wanted to stand in the corner and they would usually stop whatever they were doing. If they didn't stop they went into the corner.

Answer 4

I believe in spanking a child, not smacking or beating a child. There is a huge difference. I was spanked when I did something wrong so therefore, I quit acting up because I didn't want to get spanked.

Answer 5

as i child gets older then i do not feel that smacking is necessary.as a toddler (1-2) the a slight tap on the hand is not a bad thing.time out and naughty steps do not work on babies.if you have a 13 month old who knows he should not turn telly off but does anyeay then how do you reason with them????

Answer 6

smacking your kids is one thing, spanking is another. i have a 11 yr and 9 yr. i haven't had to spank them in a long time because they know i will. they are both straight A students and in to sports. and very respectfull of others. not saying anything about parents that don't but look at how some kids act in stores (screaming and running around)and their parents are trying to ask them nicely to stop and it obviously does not work!

Answer 7

You need to be careful when/why you spank your children, but I think you do need to. Time out's just don't always work. I was spanked as a child and I'm a productive member of society and my community. I'm not weird or warped or psychologically damaged. You just don't get results when they know you are going to send them to their rooms and they can play.

Answer 8

I am totally agreeing with Lil Dog!! I spank my child to when timeout's and talkings do NOT work. If the spanking is warranted, I do it. I DO NOT beat my child nor abuse her. I was also spanked when I was a child and my mom whom went to Catholic School was spanked at school with paddles and across her knuckles with rulers and neither one of us are warped or psychotic. And, I am an independent woman whom runs her own business. Sooooooo, if it is warranted, I don't see the harm in spanking.

Answer 9

i have eight beautiful children and never have to smack and I'm watching the same programme you must b from England.i think smacking does make it worse we all talk and just let them go through there tantrums.they get over it

Answer 10

I do not smack or spank my kids. My mom used to smack me on the face, and I do not even talk to her now. It will ruin your child. I promice.