Smacks

I also give my kids hidings. My 2 year old was very difficult for a while, so I lay down the law and everytime he misbehaved he got a hiding. Now he is a great little boy, no problems. It is my decision, my child, my responsibility.

A bit late to the party - but Amandalynn came home last year with this crap law - teacher told them that if mommy hits them we need to tell her because mommy and daddy are not allowed to (same bitch that hit my child in class so you know)

I will spank my child if i feel it is needed. Amandalynn went to school this morning upset about the hiding she got because she talks back and then screamed at me and Lorelai kicked me to she got a little smack as well.

Hiding for breakfast... makes the day calmer.

I wouldn't be concerned - this will die down. Although the intention is good it is a totally impractical on so many levels. Do they really think this is going to make one iota of a difference to levels of chilld abuse? And policing a law of this nature is near impossible.

So it is illegal to give a small smack on your kids bum, but hell go right ahead and drive with your kid standing on the front seat of the car.

So freaking typical. They can add this law to the 6 mintues of dog barking per hour or whatever it is.

I am not keen on smacking. It actually makes no sense, but every now and I do give a smack on the bum. He doesn't care, I feel better.

And MM you are right, the poor sleep deprived mom who gives the once of smack gets into trouble while the really negligent parent gets away with murder. Eventually.

I still dont actually see it helping. Children who are currently abused get next to no help from government.

The real fear is that the board rich kid is going to report his mommy or daddy for a 1 smack and get away with it, while the children who really suffer get no help cause they dont know their rights?

I feel it can very easiely be abused by rich swarmey lawyers.

Like I said, those who serious abuse their children are already breaking the law! They know they are, so now telling them they cant smack their child - what difference will it really make?

I agree its time they stood up and said no to child abuse - but rather put more money into social services and government appointment lawyers and homes for the neglected. I help out in these places and they get no support - moral, legal or financial from the government, and they have no rights against the biological parents...

Difficult one MM.

Yes, a smack on the bum every now and then is far, far, far from child abuse, but how does authorities draw the line? How do you implement laws to stop child abuse (not smacks on the bum or hand) without putting a blanket on smacking all together? I think that's the tricky part.

If bringing in a law like this will put even just 1 person who abuses their child behind bars, then I am happy with it. Emily also gets a tap on the bum every now and then, but I would rather be forced to stop doing that if it means that it could possibly just help 1 child escape real abuse.

I think at some point, the government does need to stand up and say: "We will no longer tolerate Child Abuse!!" and if this is the stance they want to take, then I say: "fair enough".

Its ed if you tel me!

No one is gonna tell me I cant spank my child - if he needs a hiding - he is gonna get one - that is how its gonna be.