[AnnieK]

I was smacked as a child and it did me no harm, I don't resent my parents for it at all, I always knew how far to push it with my mum (my dad was and still is the biggest softy so it was down to mum to discipline). I think she only ever did it 3 times or so but I learned to back off when I knew I had pushed her far enough and I would never have dared to behave like the girl in the article did....Having said that, I have never and have no intention of smacking my son.