Replies to 'Spanking: Useful or Cruel?'

it is nice to hear from you again. Our summer was pretty busy as well. Kept the girls busy with church and library activities and visited the park almost weekly, spent time at mamaw and papaws house and will be taking a 10 day vacation at the end of the month. My Amy is 4 1/2 years old and will be attending preschool this fall. She is so looking forward to it, she is excited to be a "Big kid" and go to school like her friends. We are still thinking about homeschooling but wanted to see how she does in the school setting (which I honestly don't see her having any problems) with the slight disorder that she has, She is a bright littel girl and very pleasent to be around, and would be the whole world's friend if they would allow her to be, but too much stress and over stimulation seems to bother her and I don't want anything to get in the way of her excitement of learning and her potential, and knowing how cruel people (including kids in the schools) can be worries me when it comes to her. But I honestly don't expect any problems as she has absolutely no problem playing with others, I think she is the queen of "play"! My Anna is 2 1/2 and doing well, don't have to worry about her standing on her own, she is the boy that we never had and she is a stubborn littel thing, happy and sweet but stubborn and it seems that she is more stubborn when it comes to using the potty. This has got to be the hardest child when it comes to potty training, Amy was doing all this before she was two and Anna, well, she will go if she wants but if not, the child aint movin LOL. Any way, enough of this ramblin about my girlies. Have a nice week to, I won't be on much for a while but will be thinkin of you and I still miss you as a JB girl. Your photos are still posted. :)maybe you can come visit some time???? We have a new little beanie from one of the regulars. And I am glad that you see my point of supporting both sides of this crazy issue, I think I just need to stop while I am ahead, actually before I get myself in to deeper water then I have been. Jetta

I also believe that spanking should be used as a last resort.  We mainly use the 1-2-3 magic approach and use other disciplining techniques, like timeouts, removal of privileges/toys, etc.  I don't believe that spanking is cruel...I believe there are times when spanking can be used appropriately and effectively.  However, I do think other avenues should be attempted before issuing a spanking.  There is a really great debate about the use of spanking at www.opposingviews.com/questions/is-spanking-an-acceptable-form-of-discipline.  Experts from both sides debate the relevant points and both sides bring up some interesting points.