Anonymous wrote:If you are against spanking, you don’t say I’m against spanking but it’s ok in this situation. You may find it understandable, you might even do something you don’t believe in yourself, but you recognize it as an error and vow to do better. Sorry, but it’s not ok. It’s inderstandable that you were shocked and you reacted in the heat of the moment, but please don’t walk away thinking that it’s ok to spank because it was a shocking or dangerous situation.

But we shouldn't hold hard and fast to black and white judgments. Sure, ideally she wouldn't spank at all. In this situation she doesn't think it okay, she feels remorseful about something she considers a mistake.

This was a life or death situation - you probably did the right thing. You're a good mom so let go of the guilt.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a spanker generally, but that was totally appropriate, OP. No judgement here.

Same. I don't spank but probably would have in that situation, too.

I once slapped my older son's hand. He was about 3 maybe. He kept trying to reach for something hot, which I moved away and he fully understood that he was not to touch it, but he kept at it, so I slapped his hand and he cried.

Weird feeling. I did not like that I reacted without thinking. He acted super annoying and the stuff was dangerous, so I just snapped.

I think when we act this way, it is worth thinking about. Did we act because we wanted to be efficient or did we lose control (which can certainly be understood in OP's situation).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You absolutely did the right thing. Spank or death hmmmm id spank .

Those weren't the only options

But it was the best one. Bet that kid won't do it again.

I mean, let's not go crazy here folks. It was not "well done" as other posters are saying. OP didn't weigh her options and choose one that she thought would be effective. She lost her shit and hit her kid.

But that said, the times I lost my shit I grabbed my kids by the arm, hard, and screamed in their face. It definitely made an impression and probably stopped whatever they were doing, though it didn't improve their overall behavior. I don't think I can reasonably argue that what I did was "better" than 2 swats to the butt, though.

In any event, OP, I don't think you should apologize. The only good that came out of this is that you've probably stopped this specific dangerous behavior. That's good. As long as you don't decide to resort to spanking to stop other behaviors, it's fine.

Anonymous wrote:You absolutely did the right thing. Spank or death hmmmm id spank .

Those weren't the only options

You absolutely did the right thing. Spank or death hmmmm id spank .

Anonymous wrote:I think it is so bizarre to consider hitting your child. Like people annoy me all the time but since they are adults I don't hit them. But I can hit my child when I get emotional or frustrated? Weird.

I think it is bizarre to have the same type of relationship with a child as you would with an adult. You can discipline your child when they make you angry and don't listen to you. I guess you discipline your husband when he makes you angry and doesn't listen to you? Weird.