In what is almost impossible to believe a parent who spanks their child in Massachusetts would be quality of abuse and neglect. That could be true if the legislature has their way. WCBV reports that lawmakers are going to consider such legislation.
"State Rep. Jay Kaufman filed the spanking ban petition at the request of an
Arlington, Mass., nurse who wants Massachusetts to become the first state in
the country to stop corporal punishment. If this proposal does become law
and parents are caught hitting their children who are under the age of 18,
they could be charged with abuse or neglect."
This is just the latest in a growing list of Governments that have forgot what Freedom is all about. Our society has moved from one that people had personal responsibility and freedom. To one where the Government sees the need to protect everyone and take away their freedoms "for the good of the people." It is time we resisted these measures and hold our elected officials responsible for trying to impose their will on the masses.
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Comments: 85
Oops ... too late.
Why do you consider the big daddy government alright, in terms of violating our civil rights and liberties, but find it intolerable that they would step in to tell you how to parent? You can't have it both ways. See, you people started this slippery slope, when you openly embraced and endorsed unconsitutional laws, such as the Patriot Act.
How about this for a turnaround: How about, instead of bitching about this bill, you just say "If the parent isn't doing anything wrong, they've got nothing to worry about." Isn't that your standard response for Bush's numerous violations?
Corporal punishment is an outdated mode of discipline that has been proven to have long-lasting negative effects on children throughout their lives. Many criminals were abused physically as children. The line needs to be drawn somewhere. And since there's no law barring stupid, abusive people from procreating, then there should be a law that protects their unfortunate off-spring from suffering under their hands.
Great job1
As for the war of terrorism that is a seperate discussion.
There is a line between spanking and abuse. Spanking has been used for decades and it worked well. We over protect Children these days and are seeing the result in a generation of spoiled young adults not ready for the real world. Yes you should be able to discipline a pet also. Get the government out of private life. Abuse is Abuse and we have always been able to tell the difference.
There are probably more "Intelligent" ways of teaching children how the world works and how to behave in it - but I'm afraid most parents are rather inarticulate much of the time. All parents will be some of the time.
Spanking is just one form of abuse - there are many. Spanking is a form of violence and violence should not be justified in any way, shape or form against children. Raising your hand to your child, or anyone with whom you are displeased or want to teach a lesson, simply shows that you are ignorant of any other method to use, and there are many that are much more successful that hurting a child. You just have to use your brains....and many parents are incapable of doing that, or just too lazy and think a spanking will be easier and quicker.
And just because something has been done for decades does NOT make it acceptable. There is a vast amount of information on how harmful hitting children can be, especially if the hitting comes from the people that they love most in the world. Of course, if you just use a little common sense and think about it, you'll come to the same conclusion on your own.
whack !!!
Yes there are times to use all kinds of punishment. I was not spanked often. But used correctly it is a appropriate form of discipline. I am not saying some have not had been able to do without it. But, if you look at the current generation of high school students and college students you see what happens no spanking is used period, many are spoiled and lack basic respect and discipline.
That is not what I am talking about - I am talking about good discipline, clear limits of behavior, and the knowledge growing up that you can't get everything you want and probably are a better person for having NOT gotten it. I'm talking about common sense. Again, there are successful ways of disciplining that are much more effective than spanking and do not create any long-term anger, pain, or feelings of inferiority or revenge. I think spanking is a cop-out that lazy parents use to vent their own feelings of anger and frustration. It's ignorant and harmful - and it leads to even more violent abuse over time in many cases.
Sheryl O., Nov 27, 2007, 1:15pm EST
Yes Sheryl, I can. I was just between meetings.
First;
Sheryl, I agree with MDP. There is a qualitative difference between a swat on the backside and a punch in the face. I don't think anyone is condoning a punch in the face. I certainly am not. But, loving corporal punishment, administered with the intent of grabbing attention and emphasizing points is certainly effective in behavior modification. Utilized in a consistent fashion, in the spirit of love and not of anger, in quick order the need for that type of punishment ceases to be necessary.
If that approach is not for you? Fine. But, to infringe upon anyone else's parental rights and responsibilities steps over the line Raising my children is my responsibilities and the government -- and you -- have to interest in it. Period.
You say you raised two children without having to spank them. Good for you! I spanked my boys when needed until they were about 5 or 6. You know why until then, and not after? Because they learned that when Mom or Dad said to do something, or stop doing something, it was best that they did as they were told. No bruises left (except maybe for a little ego), no injuries (except a little pride). They grew up to be fine and responsible young men.
You cast judgments on parents who spank that are unwarranted. I could do the same for what you are advocating. But, in the interest of comity, I'll defer at this time.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Clark;
MDP addressed you comments sufficiently, so I'll just add; not everything is about Bush, because of Bush, related to Bush. You really need to find another focal point. I'm very concerned of what your life will mean to you January 20, 2009 when you'll have nothing to bitch about.
There is no such thing as administering violence in a "loving manner". You can't see how twisted that logic is? That is the Old Testament, Judeo-Christian thing coming back again and again. God loves you, but will punish you to prove it. How I feel sorry for people who believe those things - and how I feel sorry for the children of people who believe those lies.
Don't pull the judgement thing on me - society makes judgements every day about what is permissible and what is not. Take the religious judgement crap out of the discussion, because people use that just to stop reasonable discussions all the time.
Maybe you spanked them until 5 or 6 because they learned to FEAR you and your physical ability to hurt them. Maybe if you decided to strike them right now, they would be able to stand up to you physically and give it right back to you. Have you ever looked at it from a child's POV? An adult is huge to them - they are helpless against your abuse. They just learn that they will adjust to your will based on fear of hurt, not on any kind of learning of what is right and wrong, not that their parents will always protect them and never hurt them. You can't see how this kind of thinking is twisted to its very core?
For most people who experience corporal punishment at the hands of their loved ones, they will pardon their parents' wrongs against them because they are their only parents and the closest human being upon which they can rely. But for a good too many people, they grow up either turning on their parents or on society to let out the pain and hurt they felt being physically punished throughout their formative years.
And why would you EVER risk that when there are other, non-violent ways in which to bring up children???
I missed Clark but not this type of comparision...most righties do not want gov intereference in families/private life (except for those in matters as he says in abortion and gay issues). I thought most progs were for keeping the gov out of private life too, this should have been a matter most of both sides could agree too...
I was spanked maybe three times in my life - but they were at appropriate times and excessive force was not used. I was not lashed, belted, etc. I was open-hand spanked on my butt. It taught me a lesson quickly and that is why I was only spanked three times in my life. I also never got in trouble with school, law, adults in general because I was afraid of my punishment. Was this wrong? I don't think so. Children should have a little fear in them.
I agree that for decades it worked but now some people are over-protective and over-react.
All of that being said, I think there is a distinct line between spanking and abuse - and most can see that line. Abuse is not meant to discipline. Abuse is meant to belittle, make one feel superior, terrorize. Spanking does none of those things when used correctly.
Next, will they say putting a bar of soap (or my mom's preferred method: a squirt of liquid Dial) is abuse? It got me to stop talking back and swearing! Not quite as sweet as saying, "Lainie, that is a bad word and I would appreciate you not using it" but probably more effective.
On the issue of freedoms:
I think both methods (spanking and non-spanking) can work when used effectively. But, I do not think that anyone should tell me which method I need to use.... Because they are not living my life and they are not dealing with my children. Simple as that. That would be like politicians deciding what is best in the educational system although they are not in the school systems on a daily basis.
I am under no delusion that I will change any of your minds on this. I see it every day out in public - in stores, on the sidewalks, everywhere. There is this wierd acceptance of parents hitting their kids in the US, or yelling belittling, humiliating things at their kids. Granted, there are parents at the other end of the spectrum where their kids can do no wrong and grow up to be totally uncontrollable, selfish adults that no body likes to be around. But, for the most part, the other end of the spectrum is the norm.
As there are more and more pressures on adults these days with less and less support around them (single parents, families living at great distances from each other, less security in jobs and relationships, more fear in the world) there is going to be more and more of this type of thing. I really do fear for our future generations with an overabundance of angry, vengeful, spiteful adults.
Would you allow another adult to spank your child? I'm not talking about your mother or father, I'm talking about a teacher, or a minister, or a policeman, or a nurse, or a Girl or Boyscout leader? If you can do it to teach them the right and wrong way of doing things, then what reason could you possibly have for not allowing other people in leadership positions in your children's lives to spank them, also?
Sarcastic, not snide. But, essentially, yes. that was all I had time for at the moment. Geez'O Pete, Sheryl. Lighten up.
Now;
You said:
"There is no such thing as administering violence in a "loving manner". You can't see how twisted that logic is? That is the Old Testament, Judeo-Christian thing coming back again and again. God loves you, but will punish you to prove it. How I feel sorry for people who believe those things - and how I feel sorry for the children of people who believe those lies.
Don't pull the judgement thing on me - society makes judgements every day about what is permissible and what is not. Take the religious judgement crap out of the discussion, because people use that just to stop reasonable discussions all the time." (emphasis mine)
Sheryl, it was you who brought up the subject of religion, not I.
"Maybe you spanked them until 5 or 6 because they learned to FEAR you and your physical ability to hurt them."
Yes. They learned to fear the consequences of misbehavior, therefore, they stopped misbehaving. Isn't that the point? Fear is a great motivator. I come to work everyday because I fear losing my house and going hungry. I fear not getting on Gather frequently and possibly missing stimulating repartees, such as the one we're having right now. Fear is not always a bad thing, Sheryl. Sometimes it can save your life.
"You can't see how this kind of thinking is twisted to its very core?"
No, I don't see that at all. It teaches them to respect authority so they won't be hurt seriously when I'm not there to guide them. What's twisted, IMO, is the permissiveness I see in other approaches.
"But for a good too many people, they grow up either turning on their parents or on society to let out the pain and hurt they felt being physically punished throughout their formative years."
With all due respect, IMO, that's just liberal hogwash.
I wouldn't do that either.
Yes, if we've discussed it before hand. I don't mean immediately beforehand; but, well in advance, such as school orientation, for example, where the guidelines are understood. They paddled us when I was in school ... those suckers HURT too!
Sheryl,
Other adults in authority positions should not spank my child, similarly to other adults in authority positions or not, should feel it necessary to give my child a Bible, Koran, Torah, Satanic bible, etc. This is also the same reason that the government should not get involved..... Certain things should be up to the parents - within reason and while exercising good judgment. I should be responsible for guiding my child to whatever spirituality I deem appropriate - or no spirituality, if that's the case. Other adults should not have that responsibility or question my judgment on that issue. Similarly, other adults should not be responsible for deciding when my child should be spanked or not spanked. It is the discretion of the parent, the right of the parent to choose what is best for their child. It's not up to the community or to the government to tell me how I should spiritually guide my child or reprimand my child.
Sorry for the absence of "NOT".
My kids respect authority without fearing it, they respect me and my husband without fearing us, they respect life without fearing it. THIS, to me, is a preferable way to live life. I guess you wouldn't know that, since you live in such fear, but it really is much better to live without it.
BTW - too bad about the puppy thing, but, well, it doesn't surprise me.
Is it ok to hit your own child, but not hit your neighbor? Is it acceptable to you for a child to lose their parent through assault of a neighbor, but not of a their own child?
I cannot administer "detention" or send my child to the principal's office.... As a teacher, it's not my job to spank a child. It is my job to expect good behavior and inform parents of "bad" behavior so THEY can determine how THEY prefer to handle the situation... I would expect the same from other adults when it came to my child.... Because as a rational person, I understand that not everyone feels comfortable spanking and should not be expected to.
And, on a separate yet related subject, if we didn't have different punishments in different community aspects (school, church, home, library, etc), we would be doing a disservice to our children because they would not understand societal rules - being varied rules depending on venue.
What is acceptable at home is not acceptable at school. And what is acceptable at school is not acceptable at church. Different places have different expectations. For this reason, we should have different punishments and then ultimately, the parent should decide the punishment when there is not already an established punishment for the behavior.
BULL SHIT. That is lawyer talk for let this poor abused ass off because his parents spanked his butt. Usually it is the other way around they Didn't spank his butt.
If the creator didn't want a kid spanked why is there so much padding down there?
Even the Bible says "spare the rod and spoil the child". The lack of dicipline in our society is one of the reasons for rampant drug use, crime, slackers on the job, soldiers with PTSD and a lot of the ills of society. Kids need to learn and sometimes the quickest way to teach is through the butt.
Some kids are different. My son was one that if you spanked him it was "so what" to him. But if you sat him down and talked to him it would break his heart and he would learn immediately. Every kid is different.
And I'm not sure about your statement that there are different ways of behaving based on location. I think I see what you are getting at, but I think that manners and respect are the same everywhere. Would you allow your kids to destroy your furniture at home, but expect them to respect someone else's furniture in another place? Kids think along simple lines - giving them multiple sets of behavior is very confusing to them and can result in some pretty big problems as they get older. As a teacher, I often ran into kids saying stuff like, "But my MOM lets me do that!". I think being consistent with rules of behavior is very important for kids. I always expected my kids to behave at home the way they would behave in any other environment, and to treat family members with the same respect that they would treat others outside the home. You can't expect a kid who is allowed to say "Shut up!" to their parents not to say it to their teachers or a policeman. Their brains just don't work that way.
A child may not be able to understand the nuances of why something is considered good or bad behavior, but there are other ways of driving home what is good or bad to any age child without hitting them. People don't like to accept this fact because, quite honestly, they were hit as children and the natural reaction is to not want to think that your parents did anything wrong. It's hard to admit that. But if you can look upon it as being ignorant of other ways of disciplining, and be open to other methods now that you have the responsibility of raising another human being, you can be open to learning better ways of doing things.
I believe that removing a legitimate form of long established punishment from parents, is an even worse form of childabuse, that it allows children to do as they please without worry of repercussion, and then you get Liberals.
Some Great points Sheryl . . . in California . . . parents have all rights . . . UNTIL there's a divorce . . . Custody orders typically include a NO corporal punishment clause as a routine addition.....extended to both parents and all potential caregivers. And you have an idea about the rate of Divorce, I'd gather.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
The heart of the matter is is that many kids are growing up without clear, common sense rules and discipline. NOT that they are not hit enough.
Government stay out of it - 10
No dessert for the "Little Darlings" after they take a chainsaw to the coffee table - 2
Inane, none-responsive opinion - 1
Congrats Sheryl, you're in the 15th percentile.
Your last sentence indicates that you think spanking is used as an alternative to establishing rules. That is abuse, but spanking is not the first resort for a loving parent of a young child. It is a last resort, and sometimes it or another form of corporal punishment is alternative to letting the child make the rules. An example of this would the child who does not to leave home to go to school or somewhere else they should be. My daughter enjoyed being sent to her room when she was younger, that is where most of her toys were! When she got older that was also the place where she was free to put on her headphones and play her choice of music at volumes that I found distressing and could interfere with what I had to do.
Children are individual and have their own wants and sometime the temporary pain of a mild smack can acheive results faster and with less lasting psychological damage than a drawn out battle of wills. Contemplate for a moment the lasting effects of making what should be a child's place of refuge, their room, and where they should be entitiled to have a reasonable degree of privacy and freedom to do what they want, a place of punishment. It teaches there is someting wrong with being alone and enjoying one's own company! On the other hand sending a child to a room where they are free to do as they want teaches them that privacy is a good thing, and that the easiest way to get it can be to break the rules!
There are pros and cons to all forms of punishment of children, the key is balance and there are as many forms of balance as there are children. What works for one child will not necessarily work for another and sometimes the temporary discomfort of mild physical pain that leaves no prolonged physical effects is the best alternative.
Don't they already have laws like this in places like Florida? I don't think kids there are going wild or insane or anything remotely like that. It sounds bad at first, and it's not something I like in general, but it's not the end of the world.
Whether or not to utilize corporal punishment should be a decision left to parents, not some bureaucrat. I trust parents to make the right choices for their children. If one abuses their child, there are existing protocols and mechanisms to handle that.
Think of your kids as an empty slate, exploring the world. They try things, they test limits, they test people around them. They are not evil, they are not doing it to drive you insane, they are not doing it to torment you. To take their behavior personally means that there's something wrong with your self-image. To take your hand to them in any kind of manner that is meant to punish, in order to "teach", well that's just pure insanity.
You can do your little counting, David. It's a sure sign of someone who is insecure and feels the need to "show" the other person they are right.
And, just for the record, MDP, I don't think this legislation will get anywhere. I just don't think Americans are mature or evolved enough to deal with this kind of thing right now. The fact is, they should not require laws to make you not hit your children. They have laws against hitting an adult, even your own family members. They have laws against hitting animals, but god forbid they ever make a law that would stop stupid people from hitting their own children. Americans are some of the most violent people on this planet - and many of their children are raised the same way. Someday, maybe this society will evolve. Until then, spank away people - and be so proud of your great parenting skills.
Even if you are a minority of one . . . the truth is the truth. What happened to State's rights and power of the people? Huh, MoD? You're in Florida . . . last bastion of true representative Democracy under the Bushie regime . . . noted for free, unfettered and fair elections. What business is it of yours or the Federal Government if the people of Mass. decide they want to do this?? Can't the objectors move? There should be cheap locales available in your oft hurricane stricken state . . . even beachside since global warming is such a joke! I guess the state's have no right to decide what they want to do??? Are you for a stronger Central Government?
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
I believe that if this unjust law were to be allowed in Massachusetts it might infringe on my right to spank my children while I am in Massachusetts. I just dont like overburdening government no matter where it is.
Sheryl O., Nov 28, 2007, 9:37am EST
Just posing a hypothetical, Sheryl. Much like your, "... a sure sign of someone who is insecure."
So perhaps we should leave this line of discussion here.
True enough . . . for ANY law in ANY state. So, you're thinking the population should not be able to make their own laws on the off chance you MIGHT visit and not like the laws? So much for State's rights.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
My son was miss behaving in a restaurant and I told him if he didn't behave he could sit in the car till he could. As we were walking out he called me an asshole and took off running. I chased him down and walked him to the car and sat him in the back seat. (all the windows were open) I sat on the hood and read a book till I noticed a car behind mine guess what the woman was doing? Yes!!!! That's right she was writing down my plates to turn me in for abuse. ( I helped her out by giving her my name. I even offered to spell it for her) She informed me I should be ashamed of myself. ( I wasn't and I'm not)
Kids can't play tag because they might get hurt
No dodge ball
No one wins at ball games
Kids are suspended for drawing stick figures with a gun.
Kids are suspended for giving another kid a hug.
And the list of idiocy seems to be growing daily.
Do you think that we are helping our kids by insulating them from everything that could possibly hurt them physically and emotionally. Or are we just setting them up for these problems later in life.
My mother did spank me and I truly believe that I'm just fine. (Although I could just be suppressing my emotional turmoil from the uncaring treatment at the hands of my mother. NAAAAA!!)
I won't spank I'll just call the governor and tell him to come and handle it.
Do you realize that we've gone from days when discipline in schools used a coach and a vice-principle. Now we have police and metal detectors.
How has the PC world improved our kids? I just don't see it. I see more and more lack of discipline and a lack of respect for others.
My issue is with laws that totally go against the very foundation of why we are America. This is one of those instances. It is called Freedom.
You can't assume (or even pretend to think) that I would for one second simply allow you to speak generically about the "foundation of why we are America" can you? Those 'founding' colonies made their own laws, printed their own money . . . they were independent. I don't recall Mass. Representatives trotting down to Florida and asking for permission to pass laws under which they were agreed to live.
If a State cannot pass a law that the citizens want, as long as it is Constitutional, then there is no need for States to pass laws at all, is there? It seems to suggest less state power and concentrated Federal power. Where's that precious freedom for them to pass their own laws??
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
1.) Believe me, as a child that was spanked, it does not take many spankings (when used effectively) to teach a child to behave appropriately. So, assuming the MDP spanks his child(ren) at home a few times, they will probably not need a spanking while visiting Mass. (As long as MDP uses spankings effectively and appropriately.)
2.) I think what really scares the pro-spanking crowd is that if Mass. passes this law, then which state will be next? And then? What if EVERY state decides that spanking is unjust or corporal punishment? That is taking the parent's right to choose. It's kind of like the possibility of a ripple effect - I would hate to see Mass. start this trend and then all the other states follow.
3.) Colonel George, you helped make Sheryl's point earlier but you also helped to make mine. You said that your child was unaffected by spanking but if you sat him down and talked to him, he understood and felt remorse for his bad behavior. That is precisely why the form of punishment should be left up to the parents - they are the ones that know their children best and how to teach them the lessons of right and wrong. While spanking did not work for your child, it worked for me. My nephew laughs when he is spanked - it is ineffective for him. So, the parents knowing this about him do not spank him. They put him on the time out mat. Does it teach the same lesson? Probably. But, it works for him because he wants to be in the middle of everything and you've removed him from everyone else. It is up to the parent to determine how best to reprimand their child..... It's not up to the state. It's not up to your neighbors. It's not up to Nanny Jo-Jo from SuperNanny..... It's up to the parents.
And the parking lot incident - that proves that there are a lot of concerned people in the world. So, this woman was going above and beyond what you thought to be normal and you think she was wacked and intrusive. What if your child was walking down the street and was pulled into a car for the purpose of being abused? Wouldn't you like the people who saw that happen to be suspicious and maybe make a call to the police?
Let's have a little common sense here. I used to be a teacher and it was the law that I reported any little sign of abuse, JUST IN CASE IT WAS HAPPENING. I would rather have 99/100 cases be investigated and dismissed (even if the parents were peeved about the intrusion) and have 1 case actually uncovered and one child saved. I don't think that is being PC.
And, Lainie, I know what you mean about parents being the ones to make the call about how they raise their children, and AGAIN, I really don't think we should need a LAW to tell us not to hit our children. But, obviously there is a lot of child abuse in this country - a lot of "spare the rod, spoil the child" going on and apparently getting out of hand. The reps in MA must have some solid reasons for writing and trying to submit legislation like this.
It would be great in my mind not to have a LOT of laws on the books. I don't like the fact that the state MAKES me wear a seatbelt in the car, or that they MAKE me not talk on a cellphone in the car, etc. I think it's stupid because I would not do those things anyway because of the safety factors. BUT, there are a LOT Of very stupid people in this country who take their own lives and the lives of others in their hands every day because of their STUPIDITY. Didn't you make just that point in another article about the woman who ran into the car killing three people?
I guess the government reacts to this stupidity the only way they can - hoping to save lives, hoping to save children from being abused, they create laws. Are they great? Are they perfect? No and No. But there are reasons behind them.
If you don't want the government making stupid laws, then just do the right thing and stop hurting other people with your behavior, America! Freedom or no, I don't think it is your right to endanger my life, or endanger even your own childrens' lives and/or futures with your selfish behavior. And, yes, I do view hitting one's kids as selfish, since it is the fastest and easiest way for you to reprimand your kids, despite other methods being there that are really better in the long run.
But, I may spank my child at home. Which...... If done effectively, would go unnoticed by any teachers or lawmakers. Not because I'm trying to *hide* something but because you're not supposed to hit the child to the point that they cannot sit or actually have marks. It will be like all the times I smoked pot in college. I did it. It was illegal. But, I was smart enough not to get caught. : )
And, I don't see how if I spank my child three times in his/her lifetime, how that is endangering you or anyone else in the world. Have you ever swatted a child's hand from grabbing something inappropriately (candy on a shelf, because their hands were dirty, food from your plate, etc)?
My point: Swatting a hand is similar to spanking. You're not doing it to INJURE a child. You're doing it so that they associate the behavior with an unpleasant consequence. Similarly to my soap in the mouth example from a previous comment.
I was never "hit". I was spanked. Hard enough to know I did something wrong. Not hard enough that I was scarred for life (emotionally or physically). But, I FIRMLY believe in ANY punishment being followed with a discussion of WHY they were punished. That could range from spanking, being sent to their room, not going to the school dance, etc. You need to outline for the child what your expectations are for their behavior and what the consequences will be for further infractions. : )
Taking stuff away from kids temporarily is a good way to punish, showing them that their behavior has negative implications on their lives - just as it will in the future when they are adults. I remember being punished by my mom when I was little - I must have done something really bad because she sent me to my room while The Wizard of Oz was on. It only came on tv once a year, and I was devastated. THAT was one of the worst and most memorable punishments I ever got. And she didn't have to hit/spank me to drive the point home.
Unfortunately, there is too much still around when one thing is taken away. When I was sent to my room, I had my stereo and games so I didn't care. When I couldn't watch tv, it was a little rougher but I could sit in the room and do my homework and LISTEN to my shows (I was so sneaky). But, these are ineffective punishments now since you send a kid to his room and he has the computer, tv, Nintendo DS, cell phone, etc. You take away the tv and he can watch it on his cell phone. You take his cell phone away and he has the internet. You take the computer away and he goes to a friend's house. You take friend privileges away and you have a kid that resents you, not the action that got him punished.
It's more difficult now than it was when I was growing up which was more difficult that it was when you were growing up.
"It's more difficult now than it was when I was growing up which was more difficult that it was when you were growing up. "
Hey, there, kiddo - are you implying that I'm some kind of ol' geezer or something?
And, yes, Lainie - it is easier for children to be entertained via electronic media, but there are still a lot of things that you could take away from them as punishment.
I am betting on common sense and sound judgment (for a change.)