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"Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child"

There are two ways to take this statement, but I am a fan of the litteral interpretation. While spanking can not and should not be your only form of punishment, there are times when the message needs to get across and it needs to get across quickly. Some of the times to spank are:

1. The child did something that immediately endangered himself or someone else and is too young or immature to realize the consequences of their actions.

2. The child is defiant and refuses to respond to other forms of punishment. What I mean here is if you have put a child in time out, and the child is screaming and refuses to participate in the time out, a light pat on the bottom is appropriate.

When Spanking becomes wrong is when it is done in moments of anger by the parent, something other than your hand is used and it is somewhere other than the child's bottom, it is accompanied by degrading words or it is done in a get even manner.

Another point we need to cover is the definition of spanking. Spanking should be restricted to laying a child over your lap and popping his/her bottom with an open palm. Switching was an old favorite of my parents and is also very effective as long as it is used sparingly and not in a humiliating manner. Switching is having a child roll up any pant legs and "lightly" using a switch, no larger than the size of a pencil, to strike the calves two or three times. Again both of these punishments should be used sparingly and should not be used on older children. they should also be done when the parent is calm and other sources of punishment are ineffective. Using these sparingly will give them a greater impact and you won't have to do it often. It is also a great idea to send your child to his/her room to think about what they have done if you are anger. After you count to 100 you can decide if you need to spank and feel better about how you do it. Also you can say a little prayer about what you should do and for your child. God will lead and direct and he will help your child and you to be less angry.

Learn more about this author, Stephanie Jordan.
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