Mary,
If you are speaking to me -- I never said anything about wanting to turn someone in . . . and I never said anything about it being 'illegal to spank your child.'
And, is the law on YOUR side if a spanking is excessive and leaves marks for several days and the kid can't even sit comfortably for several weeks (I have seen this - having been a public educator over the last 20 years)? Again, duration and intensity of the spanking - don't you think the law would take those things into account? Believe me, they do.
I not accusing you of doing the above -- I'm just saying that a blanket statement that the LAW is on OUR side proves little to nothing until one defines what is an 'acceptable spanking' and therefore legal spanking vs. what is an 'unacceptable spanking' and therefore illegal spanking.
If you choose to whack your kids occasionally -- so be it. As already mentioned by me here - that doesn't mean we couldn't be friends simply because I don't choose to whack mine.
As the first Martin Luther said:
"On essentials - unity. On non-essentials - diversity. In all things -- love."
Its ESSENTIAL that we all raise our kids to the best of our limited abilities. That we do not violate our own conscience in this lengthy and challenging process.
NON-ESSENTIAL are the differing ways (DIVERSITY - some spank/some don't) we get down the same path (raising responsible kids into productive/joyful adults who are resilient).
And that we do it all in LOVE.
I have no problem agreeing to disagree on our methods. Civilly.
Take care.
Dean
Last edited by dwelsh; 02/10/09 08:32 PM. Reason: grammer error
