Originally Posted by PR_Glen

I go back and forth with this one all the time.

I think it is a lazy way of discipline, but I still understand it, because it can be effective in moderation. The way I see it it is far worse to try and be the nice guy when disciplining your child than it is to spank them, but I still think there are better ways to go about it. If you catch them doing something wrong BE FIRM take a hold of them and look them in the eyes and let them know you are serious about what you are saying, that small form of intimidation is just as effective as hitting them. The problem with striking kids is most of the time they don't even know what they are getting punished for so it accomplishes nothing. When you use firm language and intimidation it lets them know that you are serious and not a pushover.

I feel for parents that just get pushed to the edge, because they can and will test you but I've been on the receiving end of what adults can do to children, and being attacked only made me resentful and turned me into a violent kid in return. It didn't help me with discipline and it took a long while to get that violent streak out of me.