Last night it was midnight at night and my 4 yr old daughter still was refusing to go to bed. Finally My husband gave her one swat on the but with his hand. It didnt leave a mark or anything but today my daughter went to prescholl and told her teacher that her daddy spanked her for not going to bed. I'm so scared we are going to have child protective services her investigating us!!! Like I said it was only one swat with the hand and it didnt leave a mark but still none the less I'm freaked out cause my daughter told her teacher. Should I be worried???
2007-12-17 11:15:03 · 15 answers · asked by Luv_My_Baby 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Isn't it sad that we live in a world that we have to be scared of disciplining our children? Then everyone wonders why there are so many teens getting pregnant and dropping out of school. In no way am I condoning child abuse but I think that a kid deserves a slap on the butt every once in a while.
As for your daughter, it's hard to tell. It really comes down to what your daycare provider wants to do. If she feels that the child is in harm I believe that legally she has to pursue it. I am really sorry you have to go through this, and that I can't be of more help.
2007-12-17 11:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by Me, again 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry. Even if they do come to investigate, they won't take her, if they get a call, they have to come see the child, it doesn't mean anything. Its just how they work. If she isn't bruised, house is clean, and there is food in the house, it'll be fine. Teachers know kids in their classes get spanked and I am sure they know to look for signs of abuse...if this was a one time occurance, you should be fine. As for your daughter, you may want to sit down and tell her the right and wrong times to go to an adult for help...IE, Daddy spanks her once, don't have to tell, but if daddy spanks her a LOT and hurts her, then she needs to tell. I know she is 4, but she should understand it to a point.
2007-12-17 11:43:43 · answer #2 · answered by MamaBear 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, that does not constitute abuse. If you and your husband are acting in your child's best interest, be confident in your parenting and don't feel bad. If the teachers mentions this simply say "yes, it was midnight and ____ would not go to bed so she got a smack on her behind." Besides, I've worked in daycare and kids come in telling ALL their family's business sometimes. That's nothing compared to some things I've heard.
2007-12-17 11:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Although don't spank, you are, by law, allowed to spank with an open palm, full clothed, permitting that there are no marks left. Nothing legaly can be done.
2007-12-17 11:33:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it. The more you worry, the bigger deal she'll make about it.
If you want a new suggestion, try this. At her bedtime, put her in bed and sit at her door (with it open). Make sure there is just enough light to see if she moves but not enough to keep her awake. Each time she moves, wiggles, or tries to get up, tell her "Stop wiggling (or other behavior) and go to sleep". If she gets up, put her back in bed, as many times as it takes. I used to grab a book to read and do this with my son. Its annoying, but it did work. Eventually he'd get bored and go on to sleep. After several nights of this, threatening to sit at his door was enough to get him to go to bed on his own.
2007-12-17 11:23:27 · answer #5 · answered by Velken 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you need to worry. However I wouldn't recommend handling it this way. I would try to find out exactly why your daughter doesn't want to go to sleep......is she having nightmares? And then find a solution that doesn't include hitting. Bedtime should be pleasant for everyone.
2007-12-17 12:54:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't worry about it. The teacher's probably GLAD there are still parents out there who believe in physical discipline.
2007-12-17 16:40:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. If it was an open palmed spanking then it really isn't abuse, especially since it was used as a disciplinary method. It would be different if she had said that " daddy hit me!" or something along that line. You should be fine.
2007-12-17 11:19:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
Spanking is allowed. If it was something like smacking her on the face, I would be worried.
2007-12-17 13:26:12 · answer #9 · answered by mvgirl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't worry about it myself. That's what children need. That's how mine were brought up and they turned out to be respectful - unlike many of today's young adults.
2007-12-17 11:19:49 · answer #10 · answered by AL in Bama 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋