Spanking

erinkate23 · June 2010

Do you believe in spanking?

DH and I were talking about this over the weekend. We were both spanked as kids and "we turned out fine" but we need to think this issue out completely. We've decided to do some research and talk to other parents and reconvene to discuss further next week.

What are your thoughts?

mh2t · June 2010

DH and I don't have a problem with it. We were both spanked as kids too, and neither of us are traumatized. That said, I've thought about it sometimes in relation to DD and wonder how I would ever have the heart to do it!

jennay2324 · June 2010

I was spanked with multiple things (like a meat tenderizor) and I will never forget it! Needless to say I wont be spanking!

Mrs. Diss · June 2010

Neither of us believe in it. I was never touched as a child. DH was spanked and in some cases hit and it has left a mark. I firmly believe there are ways to handle situations without laying a hand on your child. And to those who say they were spanked "and turned out fine," my response is, I wasn't and so did I. So if you can parent and keep your child safe and happy without it, why do it? Just my opinion.

eas15905 · June 2010

I was spanked as was DH. I don't think it makes you a bad parent for doing it but I don't think it should be the only method of punishment (which it was for a lot of people I know growing up). Right now I think that it's not for me, there are so many other positive and negative reinforcements that could be used instead.

StephanieDeanne · June 2010

Not for me. I don't want to ever use my hand to hurt/punish my child, and I don't want my child to associate my hand with that either. But that is just me. I was only spanked once as a child, my dad felt horrible and I still remember it to this day.

erinkate23 · June 2010

I am leaning toward no. There are a lot of things that my parents did when we were kids, and yeah, we "turned out fine", but that doesn't make them the right choice.

We slept on our tummies, weren't breastfed, sat in the front seat (often without a seat belt), didn't have bike helmets, and were always around second-hand smoke. Spanking might just come under one of those headings...

DH is of a different mindset, but we're both open to discussion on this one.

knorton · June 2010

It will not be our primary means of punishment, but we will probably spank on occasion. My definition of spanking is a light swat and not an actual hit that would ever hurt the child or leave a mark. Also, I would NEVER spank with anything other than my hand.

I have swatted DD's hand a couple times already. She loves outlets. We have ours covered, but everywhere else we go she crawls right to them and tries to stick her finger in the hole.

pollykinz · June 2010

DH & I both are ok with it, if it's only done when called for & not all the time. I know people will disagree, but I honestly think kids (in general) are more out of control these days because they have no consequences. I never got spanked but only because I heard the tales of my older siblings getting spanked so I never did anything wrong for fear of it! LOL I certainly don't believe in beating kids or spanking them all the time, but I don't think it's taboo & I'm not against it.

katie9136 · June 2010

I won't be using it as the only method of punishment, but when it is well deserved and done the right way, I don't think there is anything wrong with a spanking or a smack on the bottom.

PurpleK26 · June 2010

pollykinz:
DH & I both are ok with it, if it's only done when called for & not all the time. I know people will disagree, but I honestly think kids (in general) are more out of control these days because they have no consequences. I never got spanked but only because I heard the tales of my older siblings getting spanked so I never did anything wrong for fear of it! LOL I certainly don't believe in beating kids or spanking them all the time, but I don't think it's taboo & I'm not against it.

This exactly. DH and I will have absolutely no problem spanking (other than it will break our hearts). Both of us were raised with that as our only means of punishment, and both of us learned darn quick to shape up if either of our dads gave us 'the look'.

I agree, we were spanked and we turned out fine and there are plenty of people who weren't spanked and turned out fine as well.

I only have my friend's kids to compare right now, but those that get spanked behave much better than those that don't... especially better than one of my friends, who puts her son in time out with a movie of his choice!

ceramsey · June 2010

DH and I were both spanked. DH is pretty sure he will spank if necessary. Me? All if taught me was not to do something naughty when my dad was home. It definitely didn't change my behavior.

lovesinthehouse · June 2010

This is such a loaded question because people have different ideas of what spanking is based on their personal experience. Hitting out of anger or with anything other than your hand, can be abuse (like the meat tenderizer a pp talked about). Done in love, for the purpose of discipline, with immediate restoration (hugs), can be very beneficial. That said, I don't think all children respond well to spankings. I am ok with it, but will have to see what DS' personality is like and how to best discipline him.

aoverlock · June 2010

we are not going to be spanking. i believe that it just teaches the child that it is okay to hit when you are upset. there are far better ways to discipline and if you are consistent they will work. in my opinion it is better for the child to listen out of respect and not out of fear. but that being said, obviously everyone has their own thoughts on it; and- your child, your choice! (as long as it is not abuse of course)

nicobean1 · June 2010

I think a swat if LO does something that could endanger him (like the pp about outlets) is warranted, but I don't think I could live with spanking as regular punishment. The only time my mother ever spanked me was when I rode my tricycle into the middle of the street and sat in the middle of the road watching traffic go by.

mindingpandq · June 2010

I don't want my child to be afraid of me, I want her to respect me....big difference IMHO.

Want a personalized experience?

Spanking

Re: Spanking

Choose Another Board

Search Boards