Comments on: Hand Service

By: Urban Thought

Urban Thought — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:41:27 +0000

I don’t think raising your hand at a child is the brightest of ways (more so an easy route).

Being a parent requires a certain amounts of creativity to manipulate your children into doing and being better people.

By: dan-sean mankind

dan-sean mankind — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:01:08 +0000

I truly appreciate everyone’s feedback on this topic. People in general must be sure to think before they act. In yesterday’s society as well as today’s it is hard. It’s especially hard when you have no moral support or anyone to show you other alternatives in life.

By: Ms. Q

Ms. Q — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:42:58 +0000

I can’t see hitting a child for punishment although I was raised with several forms of it. I think it may depend on the child’s age. I’ve heard that before a certain age (5 or 6?) reasoning doesn’t really work, the child’s brain doesn’t quite process that way yet. But associating a whack with a certain behaviour does work.

Not that I’m for whacking. I have seen parents do more of symbolic whack – a scolding followed by a stinging whack (like with a wooden spoon) on the back of the hand. Actually, just thinking about it makes me wince.

I think it it’s a case-by-case thing and has a lot to do with the parents themselves and how mature and aware they are. Some parents expect their children to be adults and when a child behaves like a child – well, they think that’s misbehaving and start whacking away.

With regard to OP’s comment, when it comes to very young children (like under 6) the whack to prevent them from putting their hand on the stove or dashing out into the street may be the only way to make them remember.

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:31:34 +0000

Spanking doesn’t teach the child why they were wrong or what is right the thing to do.

By: The Orange Phoenix

The Orange Phoenix — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:01:23 +0000

I will say, there are times when a child will need to be hit, especially when they are doing something dangerous to themselves or others . . . I mean think of it this way, if I don’t hit him, the police will.

By: Lavenderbay

Lavenderbay — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:53:49 +0000

I agree with what you’re saying. Hitting a kid for lying, for example, teaches him not to be truthful but to be sneakier.

By: meleah rebeccah

meleah rebeccah — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:55:09 +0000

I have only “hit” my child once when he was 11.

Any other form of discipline has been to take away the things he loves. Toys, games, video games, iPods, cell phones. I find that to be HIGHLY effective.

That “Time-Out” shit never worked.

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:28:13 +0000

You made a great point. Consequences, not punishment, should be the norm for discipline.

By: rawdawg

rawdawg — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:25:13 +0000

time out is for basketball

By: Grace @ Sandier Pastures

Grace @ Sandier Pastures — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:45:06 +0000

We never hit our daughter. My husband has this way of disciplining her: when she behaves badly, being naughty, etc, she takes her to a room, just the two of them. He talks to her no matter how she wails and protests. He demands she looks into his eye and won’t let her go until she is all calmed down and she can answer the question “Why do you think you’re being treated like this” or “The thing you did – was it bad or good and why”. This method is very effective in our home.

No physical beating – I’ve been through that when I was young. I can’t possibly do it to my own child.