As a mother of six ranging in ages from three to 18 (including two stepchildren) I have to say that I have never smacked my children at any time.

Instead I have chosen to raise them through mutual respect, firm boundaries, logical consequences to their actions and consistency.

I am frequently being complimented on their manners and behaviour.

Sugar coat it however you like, but smacking is disrespectful and abusive.

The only way to deal with a tantrum is to consistently ignore it.

Children quickly learn that this behaviour is futile and only tend to repeat the behaviour if it has proven "successful" for them in the past.

Unfortunately most people, including those who will defend their right to smack their kids and further claim that it did no harm to them as children, are uneducated and are using the only parenting tools they have at their disposal - their own parent's behaviour.

There is a better way.

Leigh Brownlie

Soldiers Point