To spank or not to spank?

[downbeatplumb]

Sure, I agree. It was only a general statement.

What you mention I wouldn't call punishment as such. I would call it a teaching method, and I could understand the idea of causing a small amount of pain to save large amounts later. Children often learn by doing rather than just being told as well I think.

I was talking more about, "You broke the rules, now I'm going to hit you."

My mum told me I got spanked because sometimes I otherwise wouldn't take her seriously. She later told me no spanking went on at all.

It seems that there should be a class on parenting. You just get shoved out the hospital door with your precious bundle and left to get on with it.