I'm not aginst corporal punishment, But past the age of 3 or 4, I never felt the need to lay a hand on my kids. Funny, I'm still not aginst spanking, just never needed to do it. & no, my kids are not at all spoiled, or willfull.

All of my kids independantly of each other, have told me that they appreciated how we always explained our actions to them & that punishment was just an unfortunate effect of bad behaviour. They were able to understand the consequences of bad behaviour, without making it a fight between parent & child.

So what have been other parent's experiences on punishment?

Are they spoiled if you don't spank them? Do lectures work? (My kids hated those.)

How about time outs?

I like my kids as young adults & we even have fun hanging out together, but I've never had a problem being their parent first.

Is it okay to be a pal to your kids?