[lucy7]

I get what you are saying Roger.

I can clearly remeber mine saying to me "you cant touch me or I will ring Esther!"

They still did get a smack from time to time though, never a cane or slipper, just my hand.
I only hit them in control of myself though, and only when the talking avenue had not worked. Smacking in my house was a rare occassion.
I am not proud that I smacked them, and if I had to parent again, I do feel I would do it the same way though.

My husband, the childrens Dad hit my son once when he accidently stood on my dog and the dog yelped, he lashed into him big style, left several marks on him and hand prints that took over a week to go.
That was out of control smacking and not even disipline.
I was horrified and it was the nail in the coffin on the marriage after that.

I have just shown my lad this before I post it, and he has just followed the thread.
He says he agrees with me that the fear of punishment would probaly curb bad behavior in schools, but not stop it.