[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

Like I posted earlier, I was never actually smacked across the room. I used that as a figure of speech, simply to mean that my parents meant business with me, and I would never disrespect them by back talking or being sarcastic, because I would be disciplined accordingly. I was NEVER hit in the face, but I did get spanked on the butt when I was young (under 10 years). When I got older, they would just take my phone away, or not let me go out with my friends for a few weeks, but I would be disciplined in some way. I am a mother of three beautiful children, ages seven, four, and thriteen months. Obviously they are not mouthy teens yet, but they push their boundaries as well, mouthing off here and there, and they are dealt with accordingly. I have no problem giving them a few swats on the behind, or putting them in the corner for a time out (not the baby of course). I really don't think it's neccesary to judge those that choose to spank their kids, and call them child abusers. I love my children more than anything on this earth and have NEVER abused them in any way. They are great kids who will grow up to love and respect their parents, and I thank my parents for raising me the way that they did, so that I can pass that knowledge along to my precious babies, and they will do the same for their kids. The only difference in the time is that now parents think that kids should be allowed to do whatever they want, and there is no discipline anymore. Why do you think that teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and STDs are running wild, way worse than they were 27 years ago? Just my opinions... but anyway to the OP, I hope everything is going well with you and your children and that you were able to sit and talk with them about how you were feeling.

Glad you posted this, I had no idea it was just a figure of speech, so many children are abused and humiliated in the name of discipline. The problem with this form of punishment is it can cause children to grow up and hate themselves. We all know people who seem to have lots going for them, but then they make some really stupid choice, as if they are trying to sabotage themselves, and this happens much more than people think. If children don't have good self-esteem, they often make poor choices, even as adults when they should know better. Let me just add one more thing, self-esteem does not have anything to do with the way you look. I get so tired of reading about how someone wants a boob job because she wants to increase her self-esteem. Self-esteem is a feeling inside of self worth, and you literally can have these feelings knocked right out of you. Words, also can be even more damaging than physical abuse.