Do you think spanking your children is OK?

Question

I am just looking to see how many people actually do spank their children - I am not saying it is right or wrong, as I know that everyone has their own opinions.
I never spanked my daughter, and she has turned out wonderfully; very polite, loving and responsible.
Do you/did you ever spank your children?

Answer 1

my parents spanked me every day. and often for things I had not done. my older brother was/is a lier and often gets away with every thing by blaming it on me. because he is older and the favroite child my parents ALWAYS listen to him, and NEVER listen to me. I think that spanking is ok, when the child did some thing wrong. I also think that parents should not be one sided like my parents were.

Answer 2

Yes, there are times when spanking a child is OK. Most people don't understand that there is a difference between spanking and beating. I am the mother of a 4 y/o girl. She is in school (not daycare). There are times when I did have to spank her. When was that you ask? The times I have to repeat myself when she is told to either do or don't do something like 50 times.

A few weeks ago I went to pick my daughter up from school (not day care) and I asked her if she was a good girl in school. She told me "Yes mommy". Her teacher asked her if she was good and she never answered. I asked her again and she did not answer. Her teacher then told me that she spit all over in class (her hands, her clothes). I spun her around to face her class and told her (so her class can hear) if her teacher tells me that she spit in class again I would spank her in front of her little friends.

I am a strict parent because I expect my child to act as she should. My daughter does not hit me or any other person. My daughter does not curse. My daughter, at 4 does not throw tantrums, nor is she rude. I refuse to accept that children should be allowed to "act like children" when that involves acting a pure donkey!

Answer 3

I'm from the south and let me tell you, when you deserve it, you are gonna get it. There's a difference in spanking your child and beating them. A few swats on the bottom ain't gonna kill you or your child when its needed. I have three children- 2 boys ages 11 and 9 and a girl thats 3. The two boys have gotten spankings a few times. We rarely ever spank them, but I see nothing wrong with doing it when its called for. I see a lot of children who definately need a spanking and the parents are too freaking scared the kids are gonna turn them into children's services. Parents need to bulk up and take charge of some of these unrully kids.

Answer 4

THere are times when it is appropriate and times when it is not.

Obviously, newborns do not need to be spanked. a toddler responds best to instant reward/consequences, but a teen would resent it.

Also some infractions are best thwarted by a good swat while others warrant a different approach, like taking something away.

Each child is different. Some respond to spankings more favorably while others never really need it.

Personally, I always set rules for spankings (never in anger, never more than three swats, etc) But eventually, my daughter reached an age where taking away priveledges was much more effective. (this can be assessed by giving the child a choice of punishment, ie: spanking vs. grounding, and issuing the unchosen punishment)

Answer 5

Yes, I do believe spanking works. I do not believe that it teaching children to resent their parents, nor does it teach violence. I was spanked (a lot) as a child and I spank all three of my children.

Answer 6

Getting the odd spank myself as a child never did me any harm (or any I know about LOL).
However, with hubby and I very ready to have some sprogs, we have both agreed to not spank. We believe that there are much better ways of discipline such as rewards and consequences.

Answer 7

I know some people are not going to like this. But I do not agree that spanking is a good way to discipline a child. I personally feel that it teaches them that it is OK to hit others to try to correct a negative situation. Other forms of punishment should be used. I don't think it's ever a good idea to hit a child.

Answer 8

I don't think it's the big deal people make it out to be, depending on how it's done. I've swatted my kids on the backside a few times. They are not terrified of me, they don't beat up other kids, and they're not depressed. (Sorry to dispell those popular myths.) I'm also very educated, probably moreso than most people on here, and I'm not lazy. Again, sorry to crush your theories. And I'm not sure where the person who said spanking is illegal in all 50 states is from, but that's not the case. Bottom line, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and how my husband and I choose to discipline our children is our decision.

Answer 9

I have taught my children to respect their elders and I have spanked them, but they are both pretty great kids and I don't have to do it much. I have made a habit of praising them for the things they do that is right (like helping the neighbor, doing home work w/o me asking, making their beds in the morning. . . etc.)

Answer 10

yes I believe that a good spanking when they need it is perfectly acceptable. I was spanked and when I have kids I am going to spank...just not overdo it.