Feb 11, 2015, 9:40 PM

@Spitfire

Also keep in mind that 'the belt' and other such punishments, these days, could have someone calling the police / child protective services. Will someone for sure? No. If they do, is the parent in question generally nailed? Oh yes. Corporal punishment is not legal, even for your own children.

Mind, I still spank. Or did, when my child was age appropriate. I also know someone that put her teenage son down on the floor when he stepped up the first (and last) time like he was going to kick her ass. I think some kids -- particularly some boys -- need it, particularly when the hormones are going crazy but you can still get the foundations into their head that YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS BECAUSE CONSEQUENCES. Stepping up to kick your mother's ass is probably never a good idea, even once you're taller than she is.

These days we parent in privileges (and revoking them), but if I had a little one I would swat. That doesn't make it legal, and it doesn't mean I wouldn't get in serious legal trouble (as well as losing custody) were somebody to decide to go after me. It's the reality of parenting in this day and age.