spare the rod; spoil the child

The question of whether or not to use spanking as a form of disciplining your children has become quite the controversial subject. I am a mother of three, so disciplining kids is one thing I certainly know all about. As a child, my parents spanked me and my brother. As a general rule of thumb, I would say most parents who were spanked as children spank their children. Parents who were not spanked believe this form of discipline to be somewhat barbaric and argue that it is a form of child abuse, which if done incorrectly, can most certainly be the case. I believe that spanking your children as a form of discipline, and doing so in the correct fashion, is a very resourceful and effective form of punishment. As a child, whenever I got a spanking it was always a clear sign that I had crossed a line. Most of the time I knew way before I actually got spanked that I had done something that would result in one rather than to get off with just a lecture. I was never caught off guard or surprised about it. Spanking was only used when I had done something I knew to be wrong. My parents never lashed out at me. When it was time for the spanking, I would first be sent to my room to sit and wait while my parents discussed the crime. It was honestly the worst part of the whole ordeal. I remember the angst and the lump in my throat as I waited. They would then come in and discuss with me why whatever I had done was wrong and always made sure I understood before giving me three swats on the behind with a belt. I would always cry, not because it hurt (actually falling off my bike hurt worse) and then it was over. Lesson learned. The way my parents punished me is the same guideline I use to discipline my children. It is always consistent and clearly defined. Not always do I spank, punishment varies to fit the crime. We use timeout as well. My children always know when they have done something to warrant swats and they know the routine. Spankings are actually pretty rare in my