The Times Dispatch Blogs

Last week, on the way to school, a lady on the radio was being interviewed about a proposed law that would not allow parents to spank children under the age of three. She stated that she hoped to eventually have a law passed that would eliminate spanking children altogether – no matter the age.

The conversation became heated when one of the radio personalities stated that he was spanked as a child and turned out okay. The woman told this guy that his parents should be in jail.

She was on the radio again this morning to continue the discussion. The woman is obviously very passionate about this issue. It is her opinion that a time out is the strongest punishment a child needs.

I use “time outs” when Briar or Brad get a little out of hand and just need a few minutes to sit and calm down. I have, though, and will continue to spank my boys if I think they have done something that warrants that kind of punishment.

There is a difference between abuse and spanking – while it is a fine line, I believe that as long as it isn’t crossed parents have the right to choose how and when to punish their own children.

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