Smaking is a very personal thing and i dont think that anyone should be looked down on, or made to feel like a bad person because they choose this as a form of punishment...

I think smacking has its place...
I also think that there are other ways of discipline that should be tried first.

Skye, your situation is different, Jaz is not like other children and what would normally stop a child doesnt really affect her... i do feel for you hun, you are doing a great job

the thing that we need to ask ourselves BEFORE we raise a hand to our children is - why are we smacking? Is it because we are angry? if so - dont smack, remove the child from you and calm down and then think of how to apprach.

I have spoken to my Mum about this, i was smacked as a child and probably was very warrented at times... there was one occasion that i rememeber being really smacked hard and it really hurt (turned over her knee and smacked on the bum with a hand) - Dad was travelling with work yet again and my sister and i had been sh*ts for days and days, this particular day i tied my sister to the washing line and let her there - it was innocent we were laying cowboys and indians and i caught her - but the rope was round her neck... anyway Mum lost it and i bore the brunt of her anger... she never smacked us after this day

I hope the psych. can help with ways to make it nicer for your whole family