Spanking or Time Out?

The great debate about spanking rages on with research from Tulane University coming out this week showing spanking in children under 5 leads to aggressive behavior. The aggressive behavior includes tantrums, physical outbursts and defiance.

I've been somewhat torn on the spanking issue, but have started to see that using aggression (spanking) to curb aggression (hitting, kicking, biting, etc) doesn't work well. I was spanked as a child by my parents and I don't think that has made me an overly aggressive person nor do I think it was cruel punishment (well, I did at the time). But, for my son, I do think it sends the wrong message to tell him not to hit only to turn around and "hit" him on the rear end.

Taking my cue from Supernanny, I am using time out as discipline. Supernanny (Jo Frost) teaches the technique on her show and I have to admit that, when used appropriately step-by-step, it does the trick. My family teases me that I learn things from the show, but they can't laugh at the results!