If I hadn’t spanked my daughter she would have run into the street/or through a parking lot and gotten seriously injured or killed. No, I’m not sorry I spanked her, it was necessary as no other method kept her from doing so.
I was actually sensitive enough to scolding that I didn’t need physical punishment, but my sister probably did. And I was naturally so terrified of streets and passing cars and so on that I was afraid to cross the street by myself for a very long time. Dad knew 100% that when we played outside I’d never go near the road and I’d keep my sister from it, too.
My middle child was always a parent pleaser, always obeyed the directions rules (except a couple of calculated violations resulting in time-outs). Oldest always believed parents had no authority over her, just obligations to her. Her world, she’s just letting us all live in it. She repeatedly ran into the road after my telling her no and explaining why, then my loudly reaffirming the restriction as she immediately ran into the road again. 'You’re not the boss of me!" and off she went- two whacks to the butt and she ran right up to the curb and put her foot in the air over the pavement glaring at me-- but no more running into the street/into the parking lot.I was actually sensitive enough to scolding that I didn’t need physical punishment, but my sister probably did. And I was naturally so terrified of streets and passing cars and so on that I was afraid to cross the street by myself for a very long time. Dad knew 100% that when we played outside I’d never go near the road and I’d keep my sister from it, too.
I was actually the older. Sis three years younger. I was responsible for whatever happened to her, but he never gave me any authority (never told her to listen to me or backed me up) so I would resort to physically dragging her where she needed to be or whatever.
ICXC NIKA
I knew one man that spanked dispassionately and with parameters. One man. Just one. I would not discount, based on what I know of you, that you are one such man.
I too have stopped children from death in the street. In those instances, spanking was not involved, but I feel your terror about such a situation.
My dad spanked me in a ritualistic and disciplined fashion. I would have to go to my room, reflect, and then he would come and calmly spank me. I even got the whole “this will hurt you more than it hurts me” speech. You should never discipline in anger. My grandma always said “never spank in anger” - to strike a child out of anger is abuse plain and simple.