Parenting class - why smacking is never a good idea

Parents may believe there are occasions when only a smack will do. For example, your child is really cheeky and disobedient; your toddler runs into the road; one of your children bites a playmate. It can be tempting to think a smack sorts out these incidents quickly, but it does nothing to teach your child how you want him to behave.

Parenting class which will help to overcome parenting problems, instead, it:

• gives a bad example of how to handle strong emotions
• may lead children to hit or bully others
• may encourage children to lie, or hide feelings, to avoid smacking
• it can make defiant behavior worse, so discipline gets even harder
• leads to a resentful and angry child, damaging family relationships if it goes on for a long time.

I was smacked as a child - did my parents get it wrong?

These days we know a great deal more about why children behave as they do, and about the effects of smacking. Our parents did the best they could at the time. Modern parents choose parenting without the pain, for child or adults.

Saying sorry

All parents have behaved in ways they regret at times - shouting or smacking. If it happens, say you are sorry, make up and try again.  This teaches children a a valuable lesson.

Parenting class techniques, the best ways to be a great parent without smacking

• give love and warmth as much as possible
• have clear simple rules and limits
• be a good role model
• praise good behavior so it will increase
• ignore behavior you don't want repeated
• criticize behaviors, not your child
• reward good behavior by hugs and kisses
• distract younger children or use humor
• allow children some control - choices, joint decisions
• if a punishment is necessary, then removal of privileges, 'time out', or natural consequences all work better than smacking.

Source: http://topics.nytimes.com