Originally Posted by
barbara0207
Please, steph and wizard, don't spank your children, if you should ever have any!
Spanking is abuse!
I have raised two children without spanking them, and they have grown into loveable, loving, successful adults. There is absolutely no reason for spanking a child. If you show your child from the very beginning that you love them and that you are serious about your values and beliefs and live them, then spanking will not be necessary. Violence creates violence. But be firm and consistent, so that your children know what is right and what is wrong. Of course a non-violent upbringing takes a bit more thought and effort, but it's worth it. Spanking is the easy, thoughtless way out.
I can understand in a way that you want to justify what your parents did. Children often do, even later, when they are grown-ups. They do not want to have suffered all the pain in vain, and they mostly love their parents and cannot understand that these people should have been wrong. Others just don't see why they should have suffered if they can't make someone suffer, too.
I appeal to you - don't torture your children. They don't deserve it!