Smacking:  The facts

Under current UK. law,the smacking of children, as a disciplinary measure, is allowed. But in 2005 it was decreed that parents who hit children with enough force to leave bruising, grazes, scratches, minor swellings or cuts. Were guilty of assault and they could be jailed for up to 5 years.

However, the NSPCC were not impressed that these measures would sufficiently protect children. They believe that this could lead to parents hitting their children in places that are not visible, like to the head. Potentially causing even more serious injury. They are calling for the UK government to give children the same full legal protection from assault as all other adults. Similar Statutes also apply in most of the states in the USA.

Long term research shows that in kids who are smacked it is far less likely that they will understand why their behavior was wrong. When compared with kids who are disciplined using other, 'non violent' methods.

The simple and obvious fact that smacking is employed to repeatedly punish the same misbehavior, by the same child. This just proves that it is non effective in the long term, says the NSPCC.

You as parents are setting a bad example,in smacking children. Children learn by copying and smacking teaches them that 'violence' and 'hitting', is an approved and 'OK way', of resolving a problem.

In a 1995 study in, "The Journal of Family Therapy", found that 'physical punishment', is 'a significant factor' in developing aggressive behavior in young people.

There are times when families are under pressure,sometimes things can get out of control. Studies show that shaking can and does kill babies.

Smacking damages relationships, children who are smacked develop a mistrust of and even fear of the parent,as a result. According to child behavior specialist Noel Janis-Norton, founder of the new learning centre, In which positive parenting is taught.

Give your kids a reward for good behavior. you could use for example 'star charts', where your child receives a star for each day achieved without using violence or bad language, as an example. Then give there would be a reward based on the number of stars, for a given set period.

Sometimes it is better to ignore behavior that you don't like. - Often kids just misbehave to get your attention.

Explain to your child, why a certain behavior is unacceptable to you but to to criticize the action itself, not the child.

Try the repetitive, "broken record approach" and calmly repeat what you want your child to do, over and over, until they do it.

You can Punish kids by sitting your child on the 'naughty step' or in the naughty corner, you should also remove their privileges. Both of these methods are proven to work far more effectively than smacking.

Praise them whenever it's appropriate - tell your child exactly what they've done right. This will raises the child's self-esteem and pushes them towards more co-operative and considerate behavior, according to behavioral expert Noel Janis-Norton.

Most of all if there is a problem with your child be patient - 'positive parenting', is hard work and it is not all plain sailing.

It takes more time and effort, than the simple art of smacking but it's way more effective in the long term behavior of a child.

Analyze just what's making you angry. Is it really your child's behavior or is it the fact that you're tired or angry with others?

What you must learn to do is to deal with the situation in a cool and calm manner, avoid the 'red mist' of irrational anger. Never, but never resort to violence!