Would You Let A Pro-Smacking Relative Babysit?

[highlander]

SIL is a reception teacher. Chatting to her, she revealed last week that she is pro-smacking. She said that she 'couldn't smack in her professional capacity, more's the pity; some kids just need a hot bum'.

I was horrified and said there's no smacking in our house.

I told DH, and said she's never going to be left with DS. He says I'm over-reacting as she would never smack DS. I'm not sure.

My mother is very pro-smacking but she knows that I don't do it and because they are my children, she respects my rules about discipline & doesn't smack them.
I think it is a bit of an over-reaction to categorically state that you will never leave your son with your SIL. You never know what crisis might emerge when you need her help.

Since she is a reception teacher and used to observing boundaties, I would trust her (if she is generally trustworty!) to babysit, after being v clear about no-smacking policy.

It would be a very rare thing, anyway, wouldn't it, for a babysitter / relative to scmack a child niot theirs?

Would worry more about an interfering MIL who felt she had a right to do as she pleased!

this is a mad thread

Message withdrawn

I agree with Cod, perhaps you want her cv too.

Sorry as a primary school teacher I would think she would be a BRILLIANT babysitter.

TBH I am part of a babysitting circle and I babysit for others, and I believe in smacking (see other thread) No-one has asked me about this, perhaps we need to ask the question in the next meeting.

Highlander, give yourself a break

hey .. just imagine .. maybe she doesn't want the honour of babysitting your children

I'm sorry highlander but I'm with the FGS brigade .. if you need a babysitter and you tell her you don't approve of smacking she won't .. she's your SIL and a qualified teacher

Your DH is totally right IMo

well I DO smack my children, and have both pro- and anti- smackers looking after my chidlren. NONE of them are allowed to smack them - and they know that. In the same way as I wouldn't smack someone elses child, regardless of whether they get smacked or not by their parents. It's not my place to.

Fully agree with QOQ - whether you agree to smack children or not, it is not up to you to do it to someone else's child!!

cheers for comments

i would becuase am sure she doesn't think she has the right to smack other peoples children - us pro smackers dont just go round hitting children becuase we think they are all little f*ckers ( will i do think that but don't go smacking them) discipline is for the parent of the child - not me.

if anyone else were to smack my children i would send them on their arse.

I guess when I think of 'pro-smacking babysitters' I think of my SIL: who constantly smokes spliffs in between smacking her kids and sending them across a busy road on their own to a park - they're 4 and 5, ffs. And there's NO way I'd let her stay w/DD for more than a minute.

I am sure she wouldn't hit your ds Highlander.
And I tend to agree with OO about hitting the floor/table. I do that and I am fiercely anti-smacking. It really amuses small children and is a great distraction, esp combined with lots of 'oooh, you NAUGHTY table. Don't you hurt my lovely ds!'

lol custardo - when I first read you message I thought you'd said

"becuase we think they are all little fckers ( well i do* think that "

I smack my boys if they are naughty, but i would never smack anyone elses child even if they were being a little sod. Nor would i allow anyone else to smack my children. Just cause your sister in law is pro smaking it doesnt mean she is going to start smaking your kids at every opportunity, i think that is a huge over reaction to never let her watch your kids. Just cause you give your children an occassional smack doesnt make you a monster or unfit to be around kids.

I am anti-smacking,tapping whatever you like to call it as they come, but let my SIL baby-sit mine. I am more worried about her passing on her common accent to my darlings . I think most posters are right. People don't tend to smack their own children only.

There's a difference between smacking your own and someone elses kids. I don't smack, but my Mum and dad did and still would, and so does my best friend. but I know my preference would be respected. You just don't smack other people's kids.

I would NEVER smack anyones else's child, although DD does get a hand or leg tap if she doesn't get the message I am trying to put across. It comes with the threat of something bigger (which never comes) & that usually does the job. Saying that, the taps are few & far between, as generally she is a good girl.

I would not expect anyone else to smack ny child either.

I have smakced ds in the past (and am not ashamed about it either - would probably do the same if we ever do manage to have another one).

However, I would never dream of smacking another parent's child - even if I knew they were pro-smacking.

I am pro smacking and often babysit my neices. It has never even come up in conversation because I know my sister in law is against smacking. My sister is pro smacking but I would never smack her child and she would never smack mine!!