What a load of tosh. Along with most kids in the 70s I was smacked,assault pmsl.My parents were very loving parents and are the only people I entrust my kids with. I don't smack my dc but I bellow far more than my parents ever did which I think is no better half the time. I've got a very gentle partner whi neither smacks or bellows(he does however have the luxury of me as the disciplinarian).
It's really offensive to kids who have suffered abuse to label parents who have lost it now and again as abusers,bullies etc "baseball bat"
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Far too many parents think because they don't smack anything else goes and they're just fanbloodytastic in the parenting game.In reality I'm sorry but ranting,shouting,threatening when one looses ones temper is no better than a tap.
Abuse is continual daily hitting/beating,ranting,swearing,emotional belittling etc-an odd tap it is not.
Re those of you berating Sickoftheholidays in that situation as I don't smack I'd have frogmarched,hissing furiously then I'd have let loose with a dressing down re the poor old lady,I may have considered said child apologising to said lady -so public humiliation and a tirade which imvho are not an awful lot better than a swift tap.
I have 7 year old boys and I know how loopy they can get and how they need to know the world doesn't revolve around them and older/disabled people need to be looked out for. In the midst of a shopping trip with 3 lively kids an UP heart to heart aint going to work,you need swift action to nip things in the bud.