To give an example of physically teaching a child something (which should be used only with care and as a last resort)
When my brother was about 5 years old he used to cross the very busy road leading to a nearby park. There he would stand by the water trying to catch frogs (he couldn't swim very well yet) Of course this was forbidden to do. If he wanted to go to the park he could always go to my mom and she would take him. Otherwise he could just play on the playground infront of the house.
My mom tried everything. She talked to him, explained why it was dangerous. She told him he could go if he would just ask her to come with him (or any other adult or one of the older children in the area).
She offered nice things if he wouldn't go. She gave him punishment when he would go. She got mad at him and screamed.
One day, I saw him all alone at the other side of the busy street, near the water, almost falling in.
I told my mom.
She ran across the street, took him by the arm, dragged him home. At home she litteraly put him over her knees and spanked him (not hard, not even hard enough to really hurt).
He never ever crossed that road again, until he was old enough.
In a very real sence that spanking saved my brothers life.
So; yes, in a case of life and death I would punish my children like that. Anything to keep them from serious harm.
Would anybody here have done something different?
|