I totally agree with a swat on the fanny or hand. There is nothing wrong with that and I don’t care how many people will beg to differ. It does NOT teach children to hit others… that’s moronic! If that were the case, there would be generations of us running around hitting each other. My cousin doesn’t believe in spanking (and by spanking I don’t think anyone means beating a child) and out of all of us, hers are the most obnoxious and bratty children. Her little boy high fived me and almost broke my wrist, then went on to slap my hands with such force. My kid would never be allowed to act that way, but my cousin didn’t even look twice at his behavior. Parents need to be the parents and people need to stop with all this political correctness which has gotten way too out of hand. People really should mind their own business and not be so worried about what and how everyone else is raising their kids,spend that time worrying about your own children. I laugh at those who have so much judgement on those who spank and our parenting skills, just like you have your opinion on what’s right, some of us have our own opinion too. Your way is no better than mine, so get off your sad patronizing horse. I spank when I feel it is necessary and my children are well behaved, well adjusted and respectful little people. Can some of you honestly say that?

Actually, research shows that spanking in limited instances and for major events has no negative long term effects. It is when spanking is the primary mode of discpline that it doesn’t work. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe spanking works or use it, but I can see how one might spank if their children were riding horses unsupervised. All the arguments presented here are valid, particularly those reminding us to mind our business.

>>>But if it had been a teacher, I don’t know how that would have gone over.<<<

Why do you think the teacher would have cared?

I’m a teacher. Yes, we’re mandated reporters. But “spanking” does not fall under the definition of child abuse under which we are working. Had your son made that declaration to me, I’d have made a vaguely neutral response and carried on with the math lesson. I think you’re a wee bit too worried about what people who have no stake in your parenting think of it…

I just realized I forgot to talk about Madonna.
What were those kids doing unsupervised anywhere near the horses to begin with. Don’t punish your kids for your own shortfall. There should have been someone there to look after them since David is only 3.

“I know this is a loaded question but hw does a spanking show that she cares about her kids?”

It doesn’t. People just say that because spanking your child is better than neglecting your child. At least it shows that the parent is involved. Maybe it also helps justify their own childhood experiences, and people are invested in seeing their own parents as caring, and they probably were. But spanking has not been shown to have any positive outcomes. In fact, children who are spanked are more likely to be violent themselves and to develop a morality based on punishment avoidance. Some resilient children may turn out well despite it (I know I did), but there are better ways of disciplining children.

I’m with Kitty, Kristi and Alice. Doing something as dangerous as horseback riding needs to have a punishment attached to it that will make a point to the child… it’s not coloring on the wall, it’s something that could cause serious harm to the child.

I agree with Knitty. I think horseback riding unsupervised is one of those things like running out in traffic that deserves a spanking.

That depends upon your meaning of the word “spank”.