Obviously, Joanne, I think you're right on target.  You have to find what
works and be consistent. I took the belt as a kid too, as I've alluded to in
earlier posts.  At the time, given the culture, I really don't think the
belt was inappropriate (although, ironically, in later years, my father has
expressed remorse that he whipped us).  Nowadays, it would be insane to use
a belt.  Culturally inappropriate, and in most cases, illegal.  The mere
thought of using a strap of leather on my children makes me shudder.
Selling them to the circus, on the other hand, often seems like a good idea
(we'd use that as a threat, but we're afraid the kids might take us up on
the offer).   ;>)

-Kyle



-----Original Message-----
From: Joanne Darr [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 9:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: American Pediatric Society Take on Spanking/PArenting
issues


I'm not about to get involved with whether it's ok to spank or not. It
really
won't change anyone's else's mind anyway.  Raising a brood though I have
found out that consistency is more the key than the method. I will say was
hit with the belt for punishment as were my brothers. When my oldest was a
toddler and parental controls were being raised I did spank with my hand but
I found I was very uncomfortable doing it.  So sometimes I spanked and other
times I didn't for the same offense.  This led to a lot of confusion on the
kids part on what was acceptable. By the time the second was a toddler (I
had
the first 3 in 31 MO so not much time went by considering) I found that
removing my self from the kid was what was most effective.  They just didn't
like Mom being mad at them and not available for their whims and wishes.  I
was able to be consistent and it showed in the kids behavior. If I had been
conformable with spanking and the guidelines such as Kyle set up for Anna,
the results would have been the same I'm sure.  Consistency is the key.
Just
my 2 cents FWIW

Joanne
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