re: hitting in public?

Quoting Pr0nkBeth:“ I think kids should get popped more than they do! Too many whining, screaming, bratty butt kids out in ... [snip!] ... way before a spanking ever comes. I think children should know the exact discipline that will come from certain actions.”

I get what you're saying, and, now that I think about it a little more, waiting until you get home to spank a child may not be as effective, especially on a younger child, than doing it at the moment the negative action takes place. But I only think things like that should be done in public when it is something SERIOUS like the child running into the street, etc., where their action could SERIOUSLY hurt them or even kill them. Spanking a kid in public for them being in someone's way is a little overkill.

I dont agree with hitting your kids in front of other people (or at all, but sometimes a spanking is warranted) because it can errode their self-esteem. I think that woman overreacted, like everyone else said.
I would spank my kid in public for doing something dangerous like running out in the street for example, or running off in a department store and hiding. But I wouldnt spank them for getting in someones way.

IMO its okay to spank, in public or not if the situation warrants it.
In situations where theres a little brat throwing a temper tantrum and the mother is just so politely saying "No Aiden...dont do that...I said dont do that....Aiden....Aiden...I said no....you're getting mommy mad....Aiden, stop it....Aiden....stop it.....stop it Aiden.....I'm getting upset....Aiden " As the child continues to go nuts kicking and screaming......
Situations like that, I wish parents would take their kids anywhere that isnt by me....and acting like that, IMO is means for a spanking.

Quoting nvoytek:“ IMO its okay to spank, in public or not if the situation warrants it. In situations where theres a ... [snip!] ... like that, I wish parents would take their kids anywhere that isnt by me....and acting like that, IMO is means for a spanking.”

i am always in shock when i see children behave that way. my children have never been like that. my daugher does sometimes act up, but by that i mean that she teds to get a bit of an attitude. never a tantrum though. if she gets whiny or raises her voice at all above normal levels, that is when she is asked to stop, gets 1 warning, and then we tell her that "she owes us one." that means one swat. i don't even think it hurts her when she does get a spanking, but i do know that just the threat of an impending spanking is enough to set her straight. she is pretty easy to reason with for the most part though, and we have never let her get away with much. if we tell her to behave or go home, we mean it. she knows that. why other people let their kids get away with so much, i'll never understand.

I think there is appropriate spanking and inappropriate spanking. My son who is 5, now...we have an understanding to where I dont need to spank him anymore. He knows when he does something wrong and If I come to him..He ducks   lol. My friends laugh at how well he behaves sometimes just because he's scared of me...and its really funny because Ive only had to spank him maybe twice. So he knows better. We do a star chart now, and on good days he gets a star on his calendar and on bad days he gets a check mark. 30 stars = a trip to chucki cheese. It works a lot better than spanking for him at least.

Quoting Hummingbird Hollie:“ I think there is appropriate spanking and inappropriate spanking. My son who is 5, now...we have an understanding ... [snip!] ... and on bad days he gets a check mark. 30 stars = a trip to chucki cheese. It works a lot better than spanking for him at least.”

i like the trip to chuck e cheese idea, mind if i steal it? lol

Quoting thamoon:“ i like the trip to chuck e cheese idea, mind if i steal it? lol”

not at all,  

I believe is spanking 100%. Childern these days have no respect or(for anyone let alone their parents)discipline.

(I am talking about the kids I see on a daily basis, whether it be in a store or just out in public)

I am REALLY sick and tired of seeing kids do something mean, stupid, nasty...ECT (school shootings) and everyone wants to blame the parents.....BUT heaven forbid a parent actully try to discipline their kids and get social services called on them.

Quoting Mrs Hovey:“ I believe is spanking 100%. Childern these days have no respect or(for anyone let alone their parents)discipline. ... [snip!] ... blame the parents.....BUT heaven forbid a parent actully try to discipline their kids and get social services called on them.”

I agree with you.

I agree with spanking and my earlier post I put I won't spank in public... but what I kinda of meant with the whole bathroom thing was if they do something I not going to spank the child in front the the entire store (depending on circumstance) but will go to the bathroom to spank... Hmmm... I don't know. What would be a good idea for you ladies if it does warrant a swat/spanking and your in the middle of a grocery store?

Oh, one question for you all, what does this exactly mean. I understand it to a degree but I just can't determine if it says we are or aren't allowed to spank in FL.

"Harm" to a child occurs when the parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical, mental, or emotional injury. The following factors must be considered in evaluating any injury: prior injuries; location; multiplicity; and type of trauma. Such injury include, but are not limited to willful acts that produce the following specific injuries: sprains, dislocations, or cartilage damage; bone or skull fractures; brain or spinal cord damage; intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal organs; asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning; injury resulting from the use of a deadly weapon; burns or scalding; cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites; permanent or temporary disfigurement; or permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body part or function. "Willful" refers to the intent to perform an action, not to achieve a particular result or an intent to cause an injury.

I never even got *reprimanded* in public as a kid. I was taught to believe that discipline was something that happened in private, not done as a public show to try to justify to a bunch of strangers that it's not the parent's fault the kid was acting up. If I acted up in public, my mother would immediately leave the premises and deal with it out of the public eye. It didn't happen very often though, which I guess is a good testimonial to her parenting. I want to be just like her  

Quoting meridian:“ I never even got *reprimanded* in public as a kid. I was taught to believe that discipline was something ... [snip!] ... eye. It didn't happen very often though, which I guess is a good testimonial to her parenting. I want to be just like her  ”

That is exactly how it was for me.
We would leave the store or whatever and I'd end up feeling so guilty because I disappointed my mother so it didn't happen often.

Quoting meridian:“ I never even got *reprimanded* in public as a kid. I was taught to believe that discipline was something ... [snip!] ... eye. It didn't happen very often though, which I guess is a good testimonial to her parenting. I want to be just like her  ”

we have left stores, birthday parties, etc with our daughter. it's only happened a few times, but it got the point across much better than a spanking would have under those circumstances, i think

So my fun should be ruined because my child wants to act like an undisciplined nasty? I think not.

There has only been one incidence where my older son acted like a fool in public. He got it right then and there. We were in the middle of grocery shopping and needed groceries. I wasn't about to leave because he couldn't handle life. I feel that standards should be set in place before ever venturing out in public.

Quoting Pr0nkBeth:“ So my fun should be ruined because my child wants to act like an undisciplined nasty? I think not. There ... [snip!] ... to leave because he couldn't handle life. I feel that standards should be set in place before ever venturing out in public.”

keep in mind, this was when she was much younger. also, nothing hurt her more than having to leave somewhere when she was having a good time. i'm not against spanking at all, i have done it and will continue to do it when i feel it is necessary. i would rather leave a birthday party early than lose my temper on the spot though. every child is different, but i notice the biggest change in my daughter's behavior if i take her aside and talk to her, at least if it is not a serious infraction. and i don't have a problem with just leaving malls, parties, etc if it will make her think twice next time.