Originally Posted By markedward <I'm surprised it's not illegal now for belts and paddles> Probably depends on where you live. In California it is illegal to hit a child with anything other than your open hand.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I guess I should go on record as saying that I had spanked my kids when they were young. I do not feel bad about it because it wasn't done because I got some pleasure out of it, it was done because nothing else worked and it never failed to get the message across. The message is important, it sets the scene for life. In life you get spanked as well, maybe not with a hand but when you do things wrong you can still feel the sting. My kids like me, they have said so. They do not live their lives remembering the spanking they might have gotten when they were disrespectful, but, they do remember that being disrespectful is wrong. When you see kids running around being bratty and undisciplined you can't help but feel some degree of sorrow for them. They are not liked by anyone other than their parents and even then, that is sometimes questionable. I don't believe in hitting or hurting other than the sting of hand on butt but I do believe that something besides "time-outs" are necessary to get the point across at times. Those of you that have spanked, don't feel bad. There is a good chance that you may have just taught them a very valuable lesson that they will carry with them for life. All any of us can do, is the best we can do. Parenting is not easy but it is a responsibility. That responsibility is to teach your children how to deal with life. That may require some harsh realities from time to time.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I am going to assume that hitting in the original thread means spanking... While I STRONGLY believe that spanking is a common form of LAZY PARENTING, I also fully believe that spanking is sometimes the only way to get through in some situations... I therefore believe that spanking is acceptable.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Also I would like to point out that most people who are against spanking have either ONLY ONE or actually NONE...talking about kids of their own. Many many many things change when you have your OWN children and until you are in the situation you cannot possibly know what is best. I guess I therefore recant on my previous post and simply say this... The question posed in the original post is extremely subjective and cannot be answered, due to the simple fact that what is wrong for some parents may be right for others. PS Parents with only one child...hehehe Do your child a favor and have one more...or adopt one younger. Um...no offense but well I guess that is another can or worms for some other day. Sorry, back to the topic!
Originally Posted By lesmisfan for me it all kind of depends on the hit. if its really abusive hitting, absolutley not! but maybe a very light smack on the bottom as a warning, but not hard or anything, more like a stern pat.
