What age? Depends on your style of disipline. If you go by the parenting books, god help you. If you do what you think will get through to your child, then do that.

I know this is a slightly different question, but I think many of the answers apply to this one, so have a look: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/133

Um, well I think it depends on the child. With some, like my sister, all you would have to do is tap her on the arm and she would never do it again. However with me, my mum only ever tried it once on the back of the leg, I turned around and said, "Didn't hurt." So, perhaps it is best to do something else?

I am a firm believer in spanking a misbehaving child, as long as you dont do it in anger, spank them on thier butts, not thier backs or legs. I raised three boys and a girl, they all got spankings some time or other, but we always told them we loved them and told them why they were getting a spanking. But you are better off not saying nothing, as to tell them they are going to get a spanking then not give them one. They must know that Mom and Dad mean what they say. All this counting to ten or fifteen, or timeout is a bunch of crap. And it depends on the offense as to whether they get a spanking.

I believe in some cases you have to spank, regardless of what supernanny says! I was spanked, I spank my boys when they misbehave and they still love me and I think they will do better for it. But, if you believe otherwise thats fine too!

I never spank my children because I do not want to teach them that violence is an acceptable response to any situation. Edit: Person who felt compelled to rate this answer down, did you do so because you felt my answer didn't answer the question? Or do you disagree with how I bring up my children? No hard feelings...I am just curious about your reasoning.

If you want to teach your child that physical aggression is an acceptable form of behavior, then spank away. Just start putting money aside for bail.

What they do? I am a nanny and I believe you should not spank your kids! Take their tv, candy, computer time away, ground them if you need, but don't spank your kids!

There are ways to get through to a child, the message without hitting or spanking a child. It seems that spanking, smacking, call it what you like, is a way of getting the childs attention and expressing alittle frustation on our behalf. If you take a minute and think how to explain in words that child will understand, why whatever he/she is doing isn't right, is harmful etc, those carefully choosen words will go alot further in their mind then waiting for the next slap for something they may not have any control over. We think as adults, they think as children, because they are children, and should behave as such!

I believe that a spanking is in order, It largly depends on the seriousness of the situation. Is it a continual problem that has been delt with in times past with a milder punishment that doesn't seem to get the message across. The age of the child, in any event if your child needs a spanking then they should get just that, But do it in love not anger.You are the parent and you know your child, only you can decide what is best for your child.

There isn't a yes or no answer. However, it is not a good idea to spank when you are angry or to spank for revenge. There is nothing wrong with saying to a child I am too angry to deal with this right now go to your room. Then deal with the situation when your calm. It might be a good idea to look for other alternatives if spanking is always your first mode of discipline and if you ever feel out of control with your kids don't be afraid to look for help.

Well, from an opinion of a 16 year old, lol, I know that spanking has helped me grow into the person I am. However, I think a parent should only spank their children for disciplinary reasons to teach their child a lesson for something that won't get through to him or her and spanking is the last resort. The purpose is to zap the kid (or at least it was for me) back to reality and realize "Hey, I've done something wrong." Idk.. it's worked for me! But, it should be done out of love.. and I don't think a parent should love spanking their kid, of course..

i think spanking, when used at the appropriate time is acceptable. when you are doing it out of love for your child and you are not angry and doing it to make you feel better it is fine. but if you feel out of control and are just spanking, that is not good for the child to see. also, moderation is the key. you can't spank them for every little thing all the time. my mom used to spank me after she warned me and after blatantly disobeying her. always always always follow through with what you say tho, no matter what.

I think thats a bit harsh.

noooo how would you feel if someone paddled you. if its illegal to paddle an adult or strike and adult why should it be legal to do to an inncoent child who doesnt know right from wrong yet.

Paddled? Like, to hit a child with a paddle? Woa, that is harsh

I would never answer this question unless I knew who I was talking to, because an abusive parent will use it as an excuse to justify his abuse. On the other hand, some parents need to be told they are bringing up criminals. My own parents should have spanked me a lot more often than they did, but I was probably a harder case than most.

NO WAY, don't do it.

NO. Definitely no paddle. A spat on the hand or fanny maybe, if it is MILD, and if the child is going to know what it is for, off and on. But I am against corporal punishment.

Nooo definitely not. They aren't very seaworthy.

I would say no, and really I mean I don't like the idea but if you think you may needed to set things straight then do it. Now, have you considered all alternatives before? I mean, I know of parents that would not touch their kids but they have failed to put discipline and that's worse. So bottom line, keep discipline, be a figure of authority and confidence, be a role model, a safe net, provide and demand, be clear and coherent and then you may find yourself not even needing to think whether a paddle is a good thing to use or not.

Yes,

No. How does violence teach a child anything but that violence is ok? I see no benefit to it, but a lot of negative consequences. Discipline does not require physical violence. Child abuse has been passed down in my family like some proud inheritence. I've decided the buck stops with me.

children learn thru behavior. i think you should take away their possesions for a short instead

Well it also depends on the person I mean if you are doing it all the time and just doing it for whatever reason that is bad, but me and my man have a paddle that we just use if the kids do something ectremly bad that they know better and we don't spank them hard at all. They are also older children 10 & 12. They know not to do what they got paddled for though. We usually just take away things they like, but once they start hitting a certain age they start getting rebelous and taking something like a radio away for a while isn't going to do anything but make them mad. Everyone has a different opinion on this subject though.

If the behavior warrants it, and it is effective then yes, I spank my children. My brothers and I were spanked. I think there are a lot of children out there that would benefit from it. Parents these day are too lax with discipline. Kids are rude, disrespectful, and unruly. My sister-in-law believes that as long as the child isn't hurting himself or someone let him be, that's what her pediatrician told her. That's just wrong. If my child out-right disobeys me, lies, or does something he and she knows is wrong, then I spank. I no longer put my daughter over my knee because she's 13 and bigger than me, but if I can get in the right position behind her I will swat her butt. Children need to learn there are consequences for their actions. I believe its right, but some don't and that's their right as a parent. But if you don't spank, there definitely needs to be some sort of punishment, in varying degrees depending on the offense and age of child. I started spanking my son as soon as he could comprehend and remember commands. Every parent had different views. It's funny because we 3 kids were all raised the same and by the same parents and received the same type punishment, but only two of us have the same philsophy on this question. It's going to vary from person to person.

To add some balance, the use of a paddle or other implement seems harsh, BUT, it is your perogative. Be gentle. Pain should not be your first choice in training a child. Please don't spank if you are frustrated or angry, that's when it hurt you too! Training is a constructive process. It builds on rewards. But, the right to raise a child by tempered means is not one I would quickly restrict.