What is your take on spanking children?

H	I spanked my boys and used it when all other things failed to get them to behave. Unfortunatley society has gotten to the point that if you even yell at your kid in public somone wants to call child protective services on you.

Orion	I personally don't agree with spanking. It doesn't teach your children to correct their behavior it teaches them it's ok to hit as well. Children learn by example so what example is spanking giving them. It's better to let them scream it out in the corner. They may try your patience and it may even inconvenience you but it teaches them first that it's a consequence and second it teaches them control over their own behaviors if it's done correctly. Our kids know that time outs are minimal as long as they do them correctly but they can last a long time if they choose otherwise. The more the practice this at an early age the easier it is for them to use this self control as they get older.

anthentherwasi	spare the rod spoil the child i hated getting whippins when i was younger but i know for a fact if i hadnt i woul dhave been in jail or running the streets like the rest of my friends so i thank my mom for beating my *** properly and i think its the main cause of kids being the way the are today becuz they didnt get whoopins they had nothing to fear from there parents you talk to your child but they wont listen but if you whoop them they gonna feel ya people need to stop listening to these so called experts who want to tell other people how to raise their children by not whoop in them if you want to do it if not then dont

GA	HMMM... well a tap on the toosh isnt really a spanking. However maybe sitting down and talking with a child about right and wrong or the so called Time outs in room.. is where to start.. I think that spanking at any level is a form of putting a hand on a child even though they may deserve it.. Kids act out usually because they want attention in some way or not getting what they want. Look at the particular situation. Remember when you were that age we all as kids do things and when we become a parent we forget about how we were because we want our children to be well behaved well mannered.

marianne_dashwood	Spanking is a very good parenting tool. My parents used it responsibly and effectively, and I have only positive results to show for it. I'd say that spanking is what you make of it - a positive or a negative.

kj	A spanking and a beating are two different things. No child was ever permanently scared from a whop on the toosh. You do have to hand them out sparingly, however, or they will be ignored. Only use that method as a last ditch effort to get the child to behave. And only use it when the child is defying authority. Not just because he forgot something or made a childish mess.

mostassuradlyso	Children are to be taught, once taught, dicipline is not necessary as they comply. Penalties should not incorporate the use of corporal punishment. Children have a very short attention span and in order for them to learn it takes more attention than the teaching and sometimes to get their undivided attention, it becomes necessary to invoke the five reasons. The five reasons come from my first child when he began asking why when told no or not to. When he would ask why I would simply tell him I will give you five reasons and held up my hand, he tried me only a couple of times and when he did it anyway when told no, i turned him around and implanted five reasons on his butt. Worked great, only had to use it a couple of times then it became to be known as the five reasons to get his attention not the action of hitting. Be smart and teach the kids in an advanced way. The knowledge of not paying attention and its penalties gives you more time to teach as an adult and will benefit the child. I disagree with the dispensing of pain for punishment. Loss or restriction works much better and provides incentive for adherence to policy or rules. Inflicting pain only teaches how to inflict pain.

Hubert Nerd	It has to be, and the results are: great, stable, secure, happy, respectful, intellegent, considerate kids. I have 3 5-year-olds that are turning out in my estimation -fabulous, because they've been lovingly corrected. The alternative its the ADD kid or the kid you'll later hear about in the news, for example.

Blue	There are times when children need a smack on the behind. As long as it's done as a corrective measure and not out of anger. For example, when my 18-month-old granddaughter kept insisting on running into the street, I smacked her behind. The fact that I "hit" her and the noise it made smacking a Pamper did the trick. It doesn't need to be done frequently and in fact, loses it "potency" as a disciplinary measure when over used. The threat of taking them to the restroom usually stops the behavior without having to actually take them and swat them. Most children hate being sat on a chair having to wait for a timer to ring. I found that very effective. Especially when the chair was away from all activity...TV, siblings, telephone...what ever would hold their attention.

flyfish_777	If they are playing with matches and trying to burn down the house, that might be a time for a little swat.... Otherwise, I have never needed it. I have 4 kids. parenting with love and logic web site... if you want more info....

CJ	Personally, I think that spanking is fine...there is nothing wrong with giving your kid a smack on the but for continually misbehaving! But if your husband had an abusive child-hood, you should take that into consideration. The two of you should talk about it and come up with punishments together that you both agree on. That way your not bringing up your husbands past of hurt and together your disciplining your child in a manner in which both of you agree on.

mfrijoles	Spare the rod, spoil the child. I have a nephew and just threatening him with a spanking is enough to make him shape up. Once he decides to call my bluff, I will go straight to his behind without a doubt.

free_angel	Children need discipline. Whoever says that talking to them is the answer has lost their minds. If talking was the answer, there would never be any problems.

thydarknight	i think you should start with a time out and make them stand in the corner and if that doesn't work then spanking might help. but it's best to give the child a time out first. I wouldn't do it unless it was a last result.

Michelle C	With my son barely anything else works. And I don't abuse my children, like you said just a tap but firm so they understand you mean business. My daughter doesn't need to get spanked often. If he is so against spanking then tell him he needs to come up with a good punishment that lets the kids know you mean business.

Choqs	Like you said a hand to the bottom, in my opinion is fine.

BabeHart	I have no problem with spanking, especially if they are ignoring verbal instruction. As you said, not a beating, not hitting them all over the body, but spanking their bottom with a hand or object that will not leave a permanent mark nor do internal damage. Think about it...the current middle-aged generation was about the last one where spankings were still fairly standard punishment. Look at how many more discipline issues there are, since spanking has fallen into disfavor (now, other things changed as well such as more women working and less time raising kids, etc). I believe spanking to be effective a high % of the time, and yields quicker results than time-outs.

katgreek	well I'm against child abuse, but sometimes the kid has to learn, but sometimes just a tap on the bum bum doesn't always do the trick! but some parents ground there kid for a day no to go on the computer or something :S I'm not a parent but i have had the tap on the bottom when i was a kid lol

aliineedisone	Spare the rod spoil the child, in my opinion.

kimmer727	Yes - children need to be spanked. My word, I grew up getting spanked and all my friends got spanked. It didn't hurt us - we learned respect. I see kids running around screaming in stores now, mouthing off to their parents and I'd like to go over and smack em!!

{{{{{{{ALEX}}}}}}}	Spank them, its the best thing you could do. Children need discipline-or else they have no consequesnces for their actions.

foilqueen	I'm not a mother, but I think that a lot of people too quickly resort to spanking. I think that there are many other constructive ways to deal with children, though it is hard when you have a problem child and the only thing you can do is spank them. However, one technique I think is good is just sending your kid to his or her room and coming to talk to him when everyone's cooled off/ time-out is over. Good luck!

Str8 Answers, Hurt Feelings	sometimes its helpful to get their attention. as long as its not abused. no problems with spanking here.

Gypsy Gal	Why should you spank them just because you are bigger than they are????No it is wrong.

jim	I'm all for it...My parents spanked and I think I'm no worse for wear for it. Besides, kids NEED discipline...it's good for them to learn respect and learn how to behave, etc.

Shannon	i spank my children, not hard enough to hurt just get my point accross

dani77356	I'm all for it, I was spanked as a child & I'm not damaged

gabby	i personally am against it --

?	I have a 2 year old daughter. Before her, I said I would spank. Now that I have her, I would never even think of it.