I read an interesting article that proposes that spanking your child lowers your childs IQ. I thought the article brought up several good points about how stress and emotional factors could affect a person's IQ, but I don't necessarily buy the fact that you hare intellectually harming your child by spanking him. The study does not seem to account for differences such as class, parents educational level, etc that also play a big part of a person's IQ. I also do not see how a spanking, done properly, causes more stress or emotional harm of any other discapline, done properly. Now I do agree, that frequent spankings, could cause damage emotionally, and in my opinion that also borders on abuse. I think it really comes down to parents needing to know how and when to discapline and when to just ignore a behavior or redirect. Read the article for yourself here
It is no secret if you know me at all, I am a working mom. I work full time. I leave my house at 6AM and barely make it home by 6PM, Monday through Friday. And then I work overtime some nights and weekends...like today. I am spending my Sunday working overtime. And then I also do photography on the side to make extra money. And I am active in my church's childrens ministry. It gets to be alot. Our lives are very hectic and sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. Are my priorities right? I believe my work is important. I believe my work is necessary for my families survival. Sometimes my work is needed for my sanity. Even with a crazy work enviorment, sometimes it is mental break I need to function at home. However, as my children get older, the more I realize that I am missing thier lives. I've daydreamed about becoming a stay at home mom, but let me tell you, the numbers don't work. Even if we gave up all the ammenities...
I think if spanking is overused as a technique that it will not only be less effective; it will also lead to emotional distress. However; if spanking is used after other options have been exhausted, it's a highly effective technique.
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