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Remember when that drawer was opened, our mother reached for that wooden spoon and you made a run for cover? Now, if you even threaten to use a wooden spoon on a child, they are considered "abusive".

Growing up in the mid- 70's, early 80's, when I did something wrong I got my dad's belt across my backside. So I learned early to listen and respect my parents when they told me not to do something that could potentially harm me or others around . It was painful and humiliating, yes, but it taught me a lesson. Respect for my elders. Adults do know more than children. They've been there, done all that. They deserve respect.

Today's kids have little or no respect for their parents. We can't spank our child, or threaten to wash their mouths out with soap. We can't do anything but yell or put them in "time out". Most parents of kids ten and older know how ineffective "time out" is.

Time out is supposed to do what? Teach them not to write on the wall with a permanent marker? Or, swat their little sister in the head with the cast iron frying pan? The "time out" punishment just gives kids a few extra minutes to plan their next attack.

Never call a child silly or say, "That was stupid", or call them an idiot. It's verbal abuse. Our parents called us an idiot from time to time, and be honest, we probably deserved it. We weren't scarred or traumatized by it.

The Children's Aid Society (CAS), had this to say about Section 43 of the Criminal Code;

"Retaining Act 43 effectively discriminates against children. It makes them the only group of Canadian citizens who can be lawfully assaulted". (Taken from the CAS website).

Spanking a child out of love and concern for their welfare should not be considered a crime. I do not agree with violence, but if a child repeats the same harmful behavior, and time outs simply don't get through to them, maybe a swat on their backside will get their attention. I'm not saying to beat children, but a sharp tap on the butt might shock them into really listening to their parent.

It's being taught in grades as low as grade 3 and 4, that if Mommy or Daddy spank a child, he can call 911 and have those bad parents who were just trying to teach him right from wrong, charged with child abuse. My own daughter informed me of this when I threatened to give her a whap on the butt for always forgetting her hat and mitts in -28 degree weather. I could care less about the actual hat or mitts, I cared about her getting frostbite or pneumonia.

In my opinion, telling a child

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