Honestly, the physical stress of a mild spank is less devestating to a child than the emotional stress of having electronics or a favourite toy taken away for a week. That's why it doesn't work. Some kids even get a sense of pride at "surviving a spanking" and stubbornly resisting. That said, if the child is really abused or in danger, that's the only time I think government should get involved. Every child and every family is different and I don't think governments should be getting involved in the day to day lives of parenting UNLESS there is a real danger of abuse. I also think introducing unenforceable laws is a bad and dangerous precedent... And this is an unenforceable law unless we're going to stick cameras in everyone's homes.
Bang on about sense of pride. The reason it didn't work in schools was that kids saw it as a badge of honour. We used to run a book on who would get the most slaps during the year. And as you say depriving kids of toys and electronics is way more effective. Certainly works for my brother with his girls anyway. As an uncle the best threat is that if they're naughty when they're out you won't take them out again - we've had some brilliant days out over the years because they know if they are really bad they'll lose out in the future.
Just stuck my young un in the dishwasher as punishment about 5 minutes ago ...I’m trying to teach him the etiquette of washing his hands before eating. I refuse to hit him and talking isn’t working
Did you close the door? Bit of a tangent but my wife was doing laundry one day, I guess she stepped away from drier for a few minutes half way through loading it. She turned it on, started to walk away but then thought "the drier sounds funny and clunking", turned around and saw one of our cats spinning around inside. Cat was unharmed, just a little bit shaken.
