Moms Talk: Is Spanking Ever Appropriate?

Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week's question: Is spanking an acceptable form of punishment for children, or is it going too far? Or how far is too far?

Melanie Majikas:

There are many methods of discipline that are far more effective in the long run than spanking. Helping your child to learn appropriate behavior does not have to involve hitting them.

Deborah Lynn:

I wonder if anybody is nervous to answer this question. Spanking is such a no-no topic.

I think spanking can be part of a home's discipline system. However, it should be used so rarely that children understand if they are spanked, they must have really done something incredibly wrong.

There are so many ways to reinforce good behavior and discourage bad behavior. The old saying, "let the punishment fit the crime," comes to mind.