h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Both my parents were had a father who believed in corporal punishment as the best way to chastise a child. In my father's case, he grew up believing that it was the right thing to do. In my mother's case, she grew up determined that nobody was going to do that to her children. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times my sister and I were spanked - Mum wouldn't allow it unless it was really justified. However, there was one occasion where I was spanked for something that was my sister's fault rather than mine. It still rankles, 30 years on!

In general, Dad left the maintenance of discipline to Mum, and she had her own ways of maintaining discipline. If we tried to throw a tantrum in a shop, she'd walk away. Alternatively, she'd send us home alone, after the age of about 7. Home wasn't far from the shops, and we dreaded turning up at home without Mum, 'cos we knew Dad would have a fit.

Hi Cheerful Dragon,

As the parent of two children I use corporal punishment, I also use timeout (they have to sit in a chair always from the rest of the family and the TV), I talk to them and explain why what they did is wrong, remove a privilege for awhile, and I also send them to their room for a while. I use a variety of punishments depending on what they did and how sever it was, their attitude, and what I think is the best why to express my disappointment of their action and to have them not do it again.

Disciplining your children is one of the hardest jobs as a parent, how do you shape their will without breaking their spirit. My only advice would be to do what is best for the child and family. I use A swat on the rear to get my child's attention so I can use one of the other methods. Of course as they get older I will need to be more creative in my discipline options. To all parents, GOOD LUCK.

Mostly Harmless