smacking children

[zzxxee]

are you for /against
and at what age is this acceptable and at what level?

[tigwig]

I think the occasional light smack (or more a tap really) is fine. I probably smack my 6yr old twice a year when she is being extremely naughty and all other methods have failed. The last time was in fact a few weeks ago when she point blank refused to come out of the park like a 2yr old would. I warned her lots of times then followed through what I had said by giving her a smack on the leg. She then did as she was told. I don't think it is acceptable to smack under 3's or any child with force that leaves any kind of mark. I also think it should be used sparingly and not as a regular form of discipline.

[mrs_overall]

Mine were all smacked when naughty up to the age of about 5. They would get one smack on the back of the legs.

[mrs_overall]

....can I just add I wasn't wearing rubber gloves at the time lol

[thetruthhurts]

I smacked my boy all the time, never did him any harm.

Mrs Moat.

[IrishHeart]

I smacked mine about twice and stopped when it upset me more than them. It will break your heart if you do and, as I reasoned, I had them to love and teach them not smack them. Saying that I could willingly slapped some kids in the supermarket today. I cannot understand parents that think shopping is a famly day out. If you asked the kids I bet they would have prefered to be at the park or anywhere rather than sains

[joeluke]

Light occasional smacking on hand, back of leg or backside is ok. Kids need some form of discipline otherwise they know they can get away with things and parents risk ending up with the type of screaming, swearing out-of-control brats that you see on the 'Supernanny' tv programme

[ummmm]

I smacked mine more when they were under 3 than at any other time. On the hand, as a warning when they are too young to understand.

Smacking can also be the lazy parents easy option.

[ummmm]

I mean 'as a warning' when they are about to do something dangerous.

I nearly smacked my 11 year old the other day when he walked into the road without looking twice in as many minutes. Both times cars were coming and I had to scream at him.

Blackpools roads are really bad for markings though...

[brenda]

joeluke-- digressing a little , I cannot believe some of the children on the supernanny programme -- think I would have strangled my three if they had done anything like that.Completely unreal to me , that a parent has so little control , or commonsense.
Sorry did not intend to hijack.

[karenmac60]

I did smack my daughter when she was a toddler if she was putting herself in danger and could not understand that. When she was older and wouldn't do as she was told I would sit her down and explain she could do it now with the minimum of fuss or she could refuse, get a smack, we'd both get upset and she'd still have to do it anyway. That was usually enough to get her to behave. I don't agree with parents smacking their kids because they can't be bothered trying to reason, or because they've lost their temper or worst of all because they think it 'commands respect'. But when a child is in danger a small tap on the hand (which usually gives them more of a shock than anything) is preferable to them sticking a finger in the socket or something.

[Jacko439]

My answer is
Yes, No, from about infant school age.
If you ban it look at the problems we now have when youngsters no there is no deterrent.

[ummmm]

Many parents can't be bothered to use other methods. How many times (besides the danger issue) has anyone honestly smacked their child as a punishment and not to relieve their temper?

I also think that they do need to learn though. In the big bad world if they talked down to someone in a pub...they run the risk of getting a slap.

I have a friend who's parents barely raised their voice to her....she gets slapped on a regular basis now. She still doesn't understand why..!!

I don't agree with smacking...I do agree with the fact that my kids know I'm well capable of it by the look on my face...tone in my voice.

[zzxxee]

my kids had a slap on the bum at aroung 6 or 7 when they go throught the diffiant age i dont think smacking works ful stop, i wouldnt look down my nose at people but its tiny little ones that are barely walking that get tapped on the bum or hand how the hell can they learn from that??? at one years old they dont know right from wrong and will not learn until there are much older to me slapping a child at this age is lazy parenting.

[mollykins]

When they understand what's right and wrong and know what they shouldn't do.

[zzxxee]

clap clap well said molly what a wise head on young shoulders x

[karenmac60]

Yes but zzxxee how do you teach a toddler that electricity is dangerous? I'd rather they got a short sharp shock by a tap on the hand than by 50,000 volts!

[4getmenot]

its not about understanding in that way. A light smack on hand when they are toddling makes them assiciates that with whatever it is they shouldnt have been doing, like a shock factor. I agree with a light smack, never did me any harm but I do not like to see parents shouting or slapping there children for the littlest of things.

[NoMercy]

I saw a mother actually dragging a screaming child around B'ham New St last Sunday night... she was hitting him and shouting like a lunatic. I actually wanted to scoop the child up and carry him away.

[welshlibranr]

I don't think that smacking a child ever helps! it just makes them think that it's fine to physically hurt another person, I believe in punishing them by taking away treats and priviedges!..........usually works, as long as you are consistent!.............

[sherrardk]

I don't smack my children or scream at them like a banshee - it's pointless. The older ones are well behaved and very rarely have to be told off. If the youngest ones do something dangerous they are told 'No' firmly (and repeatedly if necessary). If you are consistent with children you don't need to whack them one or yell at them.