Kelly Ross, M.D.
Pediatrician at St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri, and mother of triplets
Pediatrician at St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri, and mother of triplets
Parents who try spanking quickly learn that there are far better ways to teach their children appropriate, safe behavior. In high-stress situations, such as when a child runs into the street or throws a tantrum, even parents who don't routinely use spanking might be tempted to do so. In such situations, though, you're likely to use excessive force and can hurt your child. Remember that if you spank, the child remembers the pain of being spanked and not the lesson you want to teach. A better approach is to crouch down to your child's eye level, lean in close, and issue a very firm "no," followed by a brief description of the behavior that you want your child to use instead
Samantha Maplethorpe, M.D.
Family physician in Issaquah, Washington, and mother of three
Family physician in Issaquah, Washington, and mother of three
Spanking is physical punishment. It teaches children to hit or use painful actions when they're displeased with someone else. There are many ways to teach a child to become a strong, loving, responsible young person. Hitting them isn't one of them. If you're feeling at a loss for strategies for handling your baby, talk with your doctor or join a parenting group for ideas. Head to the local bookstore for a wealth of resource
Leslie Gavin, Ph.D.
Child psychologist in Orlando, Florida, and mother of four
Child psychologist in Orlando, Florida, and mother of four
The research on corporal punishment is clear: Hitting children teaches themto hit. It's my experience that when parents spank, they often don't use moderation. They spank when they're fed up and angry, and then they grab and whack. Hitting a child when you're angry is never okay. And it's never appropriate to spank a 10-month-old. A sharp "no" and removal of the child from the situation is sufficient
I totally agree. I grew up getting spanked (and thinking about it, it did no good). So I started disciplining Ella and spanking did no good except hurt her feelings. And then I realized that I cannot tell her not to hit people when I hit her (because essentially, that's what spanking is).
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard when they test your patience, but I've learned (with Ella anyway), that she just needs to be told no and I was disappointed in her actions. She wants me (and Taylor) to approve of everything so when she disappoints us, she understands that principle better.
Good quotes though. Good luck. Disciplining your children is the worst, but has to be done.
ummm, yeah, these guys don't have an Elise ;)
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