I always felt when mine were younger (none get a smack anymore the oldest 2 are bigger than me
) that it was damned if you do and damned if you don't. The worst was the toddler tantrums in town where you'd hear remarks from the older people such as "I'd give 'em a clout if it were mine" then on the flip side if you did give them a smack you'd get disgusted looks from other people. It should be personal choice whether you use a smack as a form of punishment.