Stimulating thread everyone. I tried and think in the main acheived what was in MrGordons post that I have replied to. Though I wouldn't class my kids as "high achievers", but well adjusted, healthy in mind and body. Some in the thread have blended a little smack with assault and pedophilia (s?) There is a big difference I think
Parenting is the most challenging and rewarding endeavour in life I think. Teenage years are particularly difficult. A couple of my experiences that may be of use- On occassions when tempers got fraid and the door slamming and yelling occurred, I would let everything settle and use the calm after the storm to explain why I was so upset about the issue. This led to some of the most important and infuential conversations I had with my kids.
Once on a radio programme, I heard interviews with teenagers about parental discipline, a couple said that have good discipline from parents was a great "out" for them when they were exposed to peer group pressure to do something they didn't want to do anyway. They would simply say something along the lines of "my old man would go mental if he found out". Kids with slack parents could not use this easy out. This is in no way support for smacking, just discipline.
