I think it is best to avoid smacking. It rarely has benefits and can harm significantly.

We don’t smack our children, never have. In theory I think there may be occasions when it’s necessary (eg a very small child about to do something dangerous), but I’ve never had it happen with my own.

I grew up in an era where you would get smacked and it did me no harm, as long as parents explain why they are being smacked. If children are not disciplined they grow up to be adults that have no discipline.

I was never smacked as a child. I never liked smacking my kids, I think there are other ways to get your point across, I don’t like it. I think some take it too far. And yet, I have smacked my kids, not proud of it but it’s happened

I think there is a huge difference between a smack on the bum to say that behaviour is not acceptable, and full on child abuse smacking.
I smack my children on the bum as a last resort for discipline. However, 9 times out of 10 it doesn’t hurt them and they continue being obnoxious anyway.
I would never smack any other part of their body though and my intention is never to hurt, only to make a point.
As a child, I received many smacks, belts, a hairbrush on the bum, legs, arms, and it never did any damage to me, nor do I resent my parents for it. I think it taught me respect and to know when enough is enough.

This old debate. I don’t regularly smack my daughter, I can honestly say in 5 years she’s probably had 10 smacks. Last time she was naughty I cut out her canteen money and lunches and that worked really well. I was smacked and it didn’t make me violent. It just taught me a lesson.

I occassionally smack my children. Not hard and as a final resort.
I find that I smacked more when tey were younger. My boy is now 9 and I prefer to discuss things with him, so that he better understands why something has upset me.
My two year old, smacking would work to begin with, but then she started smacking us back, so now we do timeout in her room.
I think it depends on what they have done to warrant a smack, and if talking to the first isnt working – where do you go from there…. I am not against smacking – bit it doesnt really work for us

If you speak to your child and teach them right from wrong early on then it shouldn’t be necessary.
I know children and animals are not the same but in training an animal you base it on respect – the animal wants to please and get praised. Positive reinforcement is all it should take. If course children will test you and play up but smacking only instills fear / upset etc – life should be a positive experience

I don’t think it is effective but have done it myself – then felt incredibly guilty.

Personally I do not believe in it. We have enough violence in society with out introducing it into our homes. Would you let your husband smack you for doing something wrong? Of course not, that’s domestic violence!
There are many other ways to discipline children I just do not think smacking should even be considered.
I was smacked as a child & it has left me with mixed feelings towards my father as a result. Don’t do it to your children, they will not forget & they will not accept it was a form of punishment when they are older.

I am all for a tap on the hand or nappy, but only as a last resort.

I don’t like it. I wasn’t smacked, my brothers were walloped! My kids got the occasional slap, but I never felt good after

Try not to! It is good reading the comments and interest to this!

Never smack when angry. A controlled smack on the hand, or butt is fine. But it must be done in a way the child understands why.

I am absolutely against smacking. Read this article by Alice Miller. I agree completely with what she says.
http://www.alice-miller.com/flyers_en.php?page=2

I think there is a big difference between a little smack and going to far. I don’t think a little smack is going to ruin our children. I know that it is distressing sometimes when you see someone in public going a little overboard on the smacks. But don’t you sometimes see a really naughty kid and you think to yourself, that kid needs a smack!

South Australia apparently is the only state where it is ok to smack your child so I guess it’s why I live here – just kidding but I don’t feel that there is anything wrong with it -IF you are using it at a last resort. Our son has autism and gets very wound up we smack him a little on the back of the legs and its like he snaps out of what he was angry / upset about and goes on about his day…. I was smacked as a child after one warning if you didn’t settle you got smacked – and I turned out just fine. I don’t have the same rules for my children but I’m still strict and they are very well behaved.

a little tap on the hand…

There is such a big difference in a lil smack and a belting I think people forget that

So far if it not hurt the kids is ok so they know what they did is wrong or not nice. All parents love they kids.