I get flamed her frequently for admiring slapping my DDs and not minding being slapped as a child.
It's a quick over and done with line in the sand. I very clear you have gone to far.
No one has ever suggested an effective alternative for limit pushing under 5s.
I know people swear by counting to 3, but what happens when they get to 3?
I'm sorry but I have friends with DCs where neither parents or children were happy because the child just pushed and pushed at their parents and the parents just stood their shouting and being ignored.
I had a DF who was really
at her DDs antics.
Perhaps you can just pick them up and put them in their room, cot, naughty step, rather than a quick slap, but everyone is happier if there is a way of saying STOP!
I hate taking things off DCs, stopping them doing things, cutting their TV time. Long punishments cause resentment.
What child remembers why they can't watch TV, they are far too angry they are missing their favourite show.
Very good piece on punishments and using expectations, reasoning and action instead in " how to talk so teens will listen"
I just don't know how to use that kind of stuff with a very small child, mine are teens (well DD2 behaves like she is) and mostly very good.