Some parents ponder when it might be appropriate to stop spanking their children. My perspective? Right from the start. Though my experience is limited, here’s my journey:
As a child, I did receive spankings, but my father was judicious about it. He only resorted to it between the ages of 4 and 10, and he always explained his reasoning beforehand—never acting out of anger. The spanks were firm enough to be felt but never left marks, and he only hit my backside. Importantly, it was always for a clear reason, and I never felt demeaned or branded as a “bad kid.”
When my partner, Sarah, and I were preparing for the arrival of our first child, we had extensive discussions about discipline. She had a similar upbringing and we initially agreed to apply the same methods with our children, believing that sometimes it’s the only way to capture a child’s attention.
But just moments after our son was born, Sarah looked me in the eye and emphatically declared, “You’re never going to touch this child.” Although it was influenced by a surge of post-birth hormones, her conviction was unmistakable.
And so we chose not to spank. While it demanded more creativity and effort to discipline without physical punishment, I now see that as a positive challenge rather than a drawback. As a parent of five—though the journey is still ongoing—I’ve found that resisting the temptation to spank hasn’t made parenting significantly easier or harder.
The outcomes align with research suggesting that non-violent discipline methods yield better results. It’s clear to me now: don’t strike your children.
For more insights on parenting and unique approaches, be sure to check out this excellent resource on donor insemination. Additionally, if you’re navigating sleep changes in your little one, understanding the 15-month sleep regression can provide valuable guidance.
In summary, my views on spanking shifted dramatically after the birth of my first child. What seemed like a viable option became an unacceptable approach, leading to more thoughtful and effective parenting methods.