Do you smack your children? Be honest!!!?

Question

I don't smack my children, but i know a lot of people that do.

Do you think it is right or wrong?

Answer 1

I used to do when they were small.  A sharp smack on the legs when they did something dangerous or downright disobedient taught them to behave.  My children weren't afraid of me because they had a lot of love along with discipline and didn't need a smack after the age of five.

Answer 2

They do get an occasional spanking, when they lie or show direct disobedience.

Answer 3

I wouldn't. I was never hit in any way, and I am extremely thankful for that (I actually wrote a letter to my mom about all of the things that I am thankful for about her and that was one of them).

I know that if some giant who was physically stronger than I am came over and hit me for messing up, I wouldn't feel safe, and safety is something everyone deserves in their own home.

I've grown up to be an intelligent, compassionate, respectful and decent person without anyone ever having laid a hand on me, and I will do the same for my own kids as my mom did for me.

Answer 4

people are too judgemental on Y!A for you to get an honest answer on this topic.

Answer 5

I don't agree with smacking a child on their face.. I do agree with smack them on their bottoms if they are misbehaving.

Answer 6

i think its wrong there are other ways to punish your children when any of mine are naughty i take their favourite things off them

Answer 7

They say never hit your child in anger..........When am I suppose to hit them ????/ When I'm happy!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

No.  I don't hit anyone except in self defense.  Hitting isn't a respectful or effective way of communicating with anyone.

Answer 9

absolutley not !!!   you should never smack a child, big or small.

Answer 10

If my daughter is doing something that is Dangerous I smack her Hand

Answer 11

Yes, I have smacked all four of mine.

And just for the record, they're well behaved, polite, perfectly behaved and are dearly loved.  They also don't get smacked much - but they know I would do it.

However, how you discipline your children is nowhere near as important as what you teach them, your excpectations of their behaviour, your interaction with them, and the love you have.  I want my children to be an asset to society, and a credit to me.  And they are.

Answer 12

I don't and never will, never saw the point in making my children with such love only to physicaly hurt them, makes no sense to me when there are so many other options.

Answer 13

I don't have a real opinion on right or wrong. For me, it is wrong and I would prefer it if everyone could refrain from smacking their children. My Mum beat me as a child and I know it is different from spanking for discipline but it's given me such strong opinions. I had the worst childhood imaginable and I want to give my son something different. I'm not saying that spanking him will make me a bad parent, I would just not feel right doing it because of my own memories.

For that reason, I don't prejudice against people who do spank. I think there are other ways of discipline but when it comes down to it, as long as they are not seriously hurting their children physically/mentally then it is their decision. Some parents just need to spank, I'm aware of that so I don't look down on those who use it as discipline.

But no, I have never raised my hand to my children or hurt them in any way - even for discipline and my eldest son is very well behaved.

Answer 14

i don't.

my children are all very well behaved and well mannered all i have ever done is ignore naughtiness , put them on the stairs for  dangerous behaviour or attitude and praised their good bahaviour and efforts.

everyone is different, different things work for different people.

Answer 15

Yes,I smack all three of mine but only if they have done something really bad and I have given them a verbal warnin.Doesn't do them any harm

Answer 16

No- I don't and I don't plan too.  I don't think it is wrong for a parent to spank.  I think it is there right.  However,  I do think many parents don't go about it correctly and thus it shows bad parenting.  My parents spanked me incorrectly.  And although in most areas they were great parents, they messed up in this area.  And therefore, since I was incorrectly spanked, I doubt that I could correctly spank.  Since I am in doubt of my abilities I choose not to.

Answer 17

Nope, and I won't when they are older either (they are 13 mo).

I don't think it is right to do so.  The fact that it has been made illegal in over 20 countries speaks volumes.

Answer 18

Never have. Never will. There's no good reason to hit. To me it's just a cop-out knee-jerk reaction to actual parenting.

Answer 19

i've been hit with a frying pan, a fan, and even had a footstool thrown at me. and well smacking sometimes just happens out of anger and you don't realize what you did until after you do it. personally smacking sometimes gets the point across. and if my kids need one they'll get one.

Answer 20

Smack, no.  Spank, yes sometimes.  I associate smacking as a slap across the face and hitting with a close fist.  Spanking is corrective, not abusive.

It's right for some children and not the best for others.  Tailor your disciplinary methods for your children and don't worry about others' children.  We all do the best we can as parents and that is what makes us good parents, not whether or not one spanks their child or not.

Those who feel it's not a "respectful way to communicate"....and your child speaking with disrespect *is*?  Reasoning doesn't always work with a toddler and some kids laugh at times outs and other consequences.  And hitting is done out of anger and with the intent to hurt someone.  Spanking isn't, at least not in my home.

Answer 21

Sometimes it is the best solution and sometimes it is not appropriate.  Yes, I have been known to spank my children on occasion, but I'm more likely to grab their arm sharply or flick their hand or something.  There is probably some moms on here who would call all of that innapropriate or even horrible but sometimes it's a good option for me.  I have noticed though that it is more effective on my oldest and not my second, it's a personal opinion.

Answer 22

my personal opinion is physical discipline should only be used by the parent who offers the child constant security, unconditional love, and absolute support. a child should always be talked to first. spanking should be used as a last resort. and a child under the age of 20 months should never be spanked. NO child should EVER be beaten, shook, or hit with any object other than the parents hand.

yes, i do spank. i have four very well behaved, independent children. we constantly get compliments from family and strangers alike on how well-mannered the children are. our house is full of love and mutual respect.

Answer 23

Honestly no I do not. My oldest never. My youngest 3 times, it did no good, case in point! My oldest listens, my youngest is very strong willed and would rather take a spanking than loose her favorite toy so therefore taking things away is a more effective punishment.

Answer 24

Never did me any harm! If i had children i think i would