Sushee, I completely agree that people who don't smack can effectively discipline their children. It irks me when people say 'what that child needs is a good smack'. The people who say that don't know the child, don't know the parents - smacking could be a complete disaster in some circumstances!

As for the smacking while not angry - it depends on how you view smacking, if you view it as nasty, then yeah, 'cold-blooded' smacking is scary. But if you view it as a disciplinary tool, then calm, thought through, rationed and explained to the child makes sense. You can hardly discipline a child if you can't discipline yourself.

Says she who doesn't have the discipline to get off the computer and go to bed...