Another day, another study about the long-term effects of spanking on lil ones' overall behavior, but this one may put an end to the debate once and for all. Earlier this year, researchers found that children between the ages of two and six grew up to be happier and more successful than those who had never been hit. But today's study, which followed 2,500 tots, found that using corporal Read more

Spanking is a controversial subject. There are those who proudly admit to the old school swat, and there are those who denounce the practice and are quick to point out other ways to discipline children without the physical force. Like a ping-pong ball, the studies keep switching sides claiming one minute it's beneficial for youngsters to be exposed to tough love via swatting and the next minute, Read more

Disciplining a child is one of the toughest parts of parenting. Spanking, time-outs, and positive reinforcement all have their supporters and detractors, but do they all send subliminal messages to our lil ones about our love for them? Recently, two of TV's popular authorities on the issue — Dr. Phil and Supernanny's Jo Frost — made strong arguments for positive reinforcement. They both agree Read more

Spanking is so passé... or at least that's what the experts will have you believe. Contrary to mom's lil saying, it turns out that a little paddling may hurt the kid more than it hurts the mom. A Duke study claims hitting a child will do more harm than good and applauds new philosophies of parenting where the focus is on positive reinforcement and offering options. While that all sounds warm and Read more

A child of the 70s, I clearly recall some of my elementary school teachers using physical means to get some students to behave. Things are much different in the 21st century, or at least one might think. Though only legal in some parts of 21 states, Principal David Nixon of Calhoun Hills, South Carolina, has taken to using his paddle to discipline his pupils. Oddly enough, it was one of the Read more

Mommy Dearest, Yesterday, my 4-year-old darted into the street after I warned her against doing so several times. No cars were coming, so she wasn't hurt, but I knew she deserved a consequence for her disobedience and put her in timeout for four minutes. When I recounted the story to my mother, she was aghast and said her granddaughter deserved a spanking so she wouldn't dare do such a Read more