I'm for spanking too, a few firm taps. This is totally different than out- of- control beating your child.

I have a 13 year old son. I have probably spanked him about a total of 7 or 8 times in his life. I reserve it for situations that require immediacy or as the moderator said, emergency or dangerous situations. Since it was not an overused method, it was very effective in focusing his attention on what he had done. As he got older, I found ways that were even more effective at getting his attention and bothered him more. Basically, taking away the X Box or not allowing him to attend a function he was looking forward to. As a pre-teen these were very effective. Thank goodness these alternative methods work well, because at his current stature of 6' tall, I doubt that I could bend him over my knee any longer, without hurting myself in the process! I agree that a firm tap is effective and acceptable. I was spanked growing up and still love my parents and am certainly not scarred by it! We have to use the method that is right for us, most effective on our child, and appropriate in the situation we are in at the moment.

if they deserve it i guess

and only if other forms of discipline fail.

I am a firm believer of spanking. My kids are 12 and 13 and I am 5'9 and they are 6'ft tall and when they do not do whats asked of them they get a spanking and I only say it once. I am a single mother and I think thats what is wrong with our children today is because if they get a spanking they call the authorities on there parents and then the parents are scared to spank them. My son tried calling the authorities on me once and when the CPS came out she told him he deserved the spanking and once she left he got another. So he will be the first to say my mom does not play with us but we listen. I have only spanked my kids about 6 times in there entire life and they respect me.They know I love them.

Well, there is a BIG difference between a spanking and a beating. If your 5 year old decides to play with fire are you just going to tell him "no, no" and expect him to never to do it again? Are you kidding me? Some of us parents do not spank because we are frustrated, we do it to teach our children. I have talked to police officers about this very situation and just because they banned spanking from the schools does not make it illegal to do at home. Just don't beat a child and don't leave marks. If you leave marks then you are hitting too hard and maybe you need a time out yourself. You must admit that things weren't as bad then as they are now when spanking was allowed. I love my children, but the punishment they get fits the crime they do. And my children know they are loved and they do not fear me. We have respect for each other.

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