Reuters posted a story today called Time out better than spanking for naughty kids: experts.

Time out, extra chores and taking away privileges are more useful forms of disciplining naughty children than spanking or hitting, according to a study on Wednesday.

An estimated 94 percent of parents use some form of corporal punishment to teach their toddlers right from wrong, according to research studies. But psychologists say it could lead to later emotional and behavioral problems.

Even children who were only smacked occasionally are more likely to show signs of depression or lower self-esteem.

This seems like common sense. What does smacking your child say? To me it says that you don’t respect them. It says that they are below you. It says that you don’t know a better way of discouraging bad behavior. I apologize if that sounds harsh because I don’t want to ruffle any feathers. I am not saying you are a bad parent if you choose to spank, but I disagree with it. I felt this way long before having a child and now that I do, I feel so even more strongly.

Believe me, I know what it feels like to be frustrated and angry at your child. I know what it feels like to be at your breaking point. I have lost my cool and yelled at my child when I shouldn’t have. Lay a finger on him though? Not gonna happen! Not to say that yelling is healthy. I felt so awful afterwards that I cried and promised myself I would never do that again. I also think that yelling disrespects and belittles children, but it is not teaching them that hitting or touching someone roughly without their consent is acceptable.

I’m sorry to go on such a rampage. I didn’t mean to, but my fingers just took over the keyboard and I couldn’t stop. If you want to read the full story, Click Here