Two different schools of thought exist on the subject of spanking vs. time out as a discipline measure.   My wife and I decided to stop spanking our children when we observed them beginning to hit each other.  It dawned on us that they were mimicking our actions and that we needed to change our methods of discipline.   Thereafter, when our children misbehaved, we  practiced “time-out”:   sitting or standing in the corner for a period of time, and not enabling them to continue their action(s).  Should spanking be used it should be limited and done without anger and as a last resort to break a unexceptable non-tolerant behavior. This method of time out proved effective, as facing the wall not only stopped their negative actions but also enabled them to think about their behavior.

Kids full of joy. Love the Children

The practice of  ”time out” prevents the dangerous combination of  hitting and anger, a combination that can escalate to child abuse.   Spanking often escalates, becomes a continuous cycle, and only serves to show children that their parents have lost control.  It is very important for parents to be slow to anger and to retain their composure, and the practice of “time out” enables this.   The other important component of “time out” is consistency:  do the “time out” as soon as the child misbehaves and as often as is necessary.  Your efforts will pay off in the long run.

Parents will encourage love and better behavior in their children if they abandon or limit spanking as a form of discipline,  and replace it with the more loving and effective “time out” method.

“Time out” alone in the corner of the room is a form of rejection that more effectively impacts children, as they prefer to be hugged and hear the words“I love you”.  Children inherently want to please their parents.  As a method of enforcing desirable behavior in children, “time out” is an immediate,  more loving and effective means of parental discipline.

In all matters, our love is the greatest gift we can give our children.

Aloha and Malama Pono.

For related information in this website – search for tantrum

On June 27, 2002 The Associated Press released Columbia University’s analysis of six decades of research on corporal punishment linking spanking to ten negative behaviors including aggression, anti-social behavior and mental health problems. Continual spanking can have long-term negative effects.