Virtually every parent I see who (in my mind) is a “good parent” with “good kids” is willing to understand that it’s “work.” There is no quick fix.

Whatever your method of discipline I think being consistent and having it well thought out (and controlled) is what matters.

The person who smacks wildly and unpredictably (one time it’s a hitting offense the next time the same offense garners little parental reaction) is going to be no more effective than the one reasoning with an unreasonable child or issuing time-outs with little foresight or follow-through.

I think effective parents find the method that works for themselves and their child.

As far as counting 1-2 -3, that is so un-useful, I have a great neice who done exactly what Carol Ann said her daughter done, It seems some parents would rather yell at the top of their lungs out in public and look like an idiot rather than control their bratty kids destroying every thing in site.

Jessica, the word discipline is almost unheard of, I had a lady in my office one day and asked her why she would let her 3 yr old daughter kick her and spit on her, why don’t you just give her a good swat on the butt? she said (I was shocked) “oh that would have to be the last resort!” oh my God when is that? this womans legs were bruised from this little person kicking her, So I asked her “when is the last resort/ when she is 13 and running you in the ground?” Her answer was “I don’t know”

I think we need some more of Bill Cosby telling parents how to say “I brought you into this world, and I’ll take you out” J/K but I loved his show. What does a little butt warming hurt, I had a few, and I gave a few, and my kids are wonderful, God gave that butt for more than just sitting on it, I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s not some thing that is often needed once they know who is boss if talking to them does not work, what next? what ever they want to do? Well thats what you see a lot of, Is the child running the home,

There are numerous ways to describe a “spank” too. From the S&M kind to the kinds that leave bruises on kids’ backsides. An open palm can do this too.

Hitting. Hitting. Hitting. That’s all it is. Why do people get so worked up about it?

Is it because using the word “hitting” implies that they are doing something wrong, and using the word “spanking” means that what they are doing is ok somehow?

And I’ve never once seen a parent do a “timeout” correctly. Every single parent I know has no f*cking clue how timeout even works. And they will threaten the kid with “if you don’t stop that, you’re gonna get a time out!” It makes me want to go up to the parent and HIT them!!! HARD!!!

In Britain and other former Commonwealth countries (other than Canada), “smacking” is generally a synonym for what North Americans call “spanking.” In North America “smacking” generally signifies however “slapping.”

I remember reading an article by a British woman who used the words “smacking,” “spuds,” and “sprog.” I later found out the North American equivalents for those three words are “spanking,” “potatoes,” and “child,” respectively.