Yesterday, you gave me your opinion. Today, I offer mine. Tommorow, we'll see what the experts say together!
One of the most succinct views on spanking children I've read came from comments in our discussion area.
I don't think I could have said it better. As Angela, my husband and I drew the boundry lines for each of our children - primarily by the age of 2. While doing so, we use to pop the diapered area of the child's bottom.
I don't even remember any of the children crying after it happened, unless we startled them when doing so.
The pops on the behind were never done out of anger or frustration, but motivated by concern for the child's safety. It didn't happen often and not all of the children needed this type of "attention getter," but I feel it had a lasting positive impression on the children.
I believe, as Angela does, that setting boundries and expectations for behavior early are the best ways to make paddling completely unnecessary as the child grows. The latest I can remember popping a bottom is on one of my sons just before he was old enough to start school.
A large problem is not having a common definition of "spank." I started a riot on My Space.com by beginning a discussion on spanking! Moms were talking about how it isn't right to have a father throw you into a wall or punch you in the stomach....a, yeah...folks, that isn't spanking. That is child abuse.
Of greater concern to me is the way adults speak to children. I have witnessesd heartbreaking exchanges between parents and their children in public places. Parents use mean, demeaning words that break a child's spirit and confindence - something much worse that a gentle pop on the bottom with an open hand.
I know many of you disagree with me by evidenced in the poll...please participate in the discussion and tomorrow, when we will hear from the experts!
