Non judgmental advice
I’m looking for non judgmental advice from
Parents who have spanked before. Yes, I know it’s not preferred. It’s never ever a first line of defense. Some background: my 4.5 year old has been rough. We have tried numerous positive reinforcement tactics, consequences, rewards, etc. for good behavior. While he is typically super well behaved there have been some concerning incidences lately where I have felt I had no other option than a spank. One example is he came at me with a large board when I was pregnant. I felt in this instance I had to spank, a quick and memorable corrective action. It never happened again. Another time he got mad when I turned the tv off and started swinging a dinner fork. I don’t believe he knew that could result in a “stab” but I grabbed it, and another corrective swat. Lastly I was following him up the stairs while I was baby wearing and he turned around and almost kicked me down the stairs. He was angry about going to bed. Another swat. These have been done calmly and not in anger by me. We go to the room. I say why he’s getting it. And one swat. For those who have spanked, as your child grew did they feel totally traumatized? I’m feeling upset about the whole thing but I felt I was doing the best I could at the time - with pregnant and a new baby I needed to make sure these actions never happened again. Our home is very loving, very fun. But I felt the aforementioned actions were absolutely unacceptable and could not be ignored. I know what the research says. But I did it anyway. Just looking for other parents feedback in how your children were after.