[Lil Sis]

My degree is in early childhood development. It is under the umbrella of family and consumer science or you may know it as home ec.
I have worked in child care centers, had children in my home (when my girls were babies) and opened a child care center in the dcps system. I now teach food production -- so I am a little rusty on the latest trends.

I was raised by a southern mother. I has the crap beat out of me several times. I loved my mother, but knew if I did the wrong thing I would be punished. As the saying goes... I had to cut my own switches to give her for my "whippings". I hated wiper wills (birds) because they would remind her if I had earned a whipping. By the time I was a teen I was mostly good because I did not want to disappoint her -- that was more powerful than a whipping. I was also raised in the concept of children were to be "seen not heard"

Now.. when I had my girls I at first was just like my mother. Then my "education" kicked in. I did "spank" oldest daughter a few times.... for things like running into traffic -- playing with matches -- you know life threatening stuff. The second girl -- all I had to do was "look" at her.

I think most people discipline like their parents - that is what they know.
I don't think "punishment" should be any form of hitting. By Fla. law child abuse is hitting with an object or closed fist with the intent to hurt. So a smack or pop on the fanny (with all the extra padding it will not hurt the child) is in that "gray" area. I have seen children hurt more by actions and words than any smack on a fanny....

I think it is a shame of the people who have children. You think the rehomeing or lack of vet visit for dogs is sad... look at the abuse of children.