Balance is the key--neither abusive nor permissive. One does a child no favor by sparing the rod, nor by laying it on heavily. But it often helps to have it standing there in the corner with the knowledge that it is one of the consequences of misbehavior. I think I only got three serious whippings as a youngster, but each was effective for years!
I have been quite lucky though. I think I have given each daughter a swat on a couple of occasions each. Luckily we haven't had any problems w/ either since about age 8. Now, we ground them by taking away all of their screens......phone, tv, anything w/ a screen. Very effective!
Good post. I called those serious ones whoopings. I got two. One for lying, the other for stealing (a $0.25 roll of tape) from the local 5 and dime. As you said, very effective. Never did steal again. Told a white lie or 2 though :yelwink2:
