I was spanked as a child, and I've spanked my own kids too. But in retrospect, I believe that it was always a failure on the parent's part that made it get to that point. So I don't use that method any more. It's less about resolving not to spank, and more about committing to setting the expectations and boundaries in advance, and preparing the child, so they don't ever have to be trained by physical force. And I do believe that it can be done.
I guess it's less about "no spanking" and more about using better methods. No one is doing their child a favor by simply removing one tool from the discipline arsenal. Ultimately whatever discipline you use still has to be effective.
And yes, I did read that article a few years back that showed some behavioral advantages to spanking in 2-5 year olds. I just don't think it was consistent with other research, or that it took everything into account.
I guess it's less about "no spanking" and more about using better methods. No one is doing their child a favor by simply removing one tool from the discipline arsenal. Ultimately whatever discipline you use still has to be effective.
And yes, I did read that article a few years back that showed some behavioral advantages to spanking in 2-5 year olds. I just don't think it was consistent with other research, or that it took everything into account.