[Niall]

There's no need to smack a little kid. Discipline out of fear is only detrimental to the child's relationship with the parent. My cousins used to get smacked by one of my aunts and they absolutely hated her for it and used to get real upset - we went to Disney World with them nice (my Dad and I that is), and my aunt slapped my cousin (who was 16 at the time) in the middle of the theme park. My cousin started crying and she was really embarrassed. There's no need.

My parents have never smacked or used physical force to make me do things and I always abided by and respected their rules (for the most part anyway). They always used to explain to me where I went wrong after I was punished for it and I understood not to do the wrong thing in future and all that. Smacking the kid isnt liable to help them understand what they did wrong and why they shouldn't do it, but that they shouldn't do something for fear that they'll be hurt. It's wrong. A child should never be fearful of their parent.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Niall

and my aunt slapped my cousin (who was 16 at the time) in the middle of the theme park. My cousin started crying and she was really embarrassed. There's no need.

I'd have slapped the bitch back into oblivion.