[WillowTheWhisp]

I'm saying there is a distinction between child abuse and the sort of minor smacking which until recently was considered normal.

A small child reaches out his or her hand towards a flame and the parent sharply taps the hand - it's an instinctive reaction in many cases. What is best? What else are they supposed to do? Let the child burn his or her hand whilst endeavouring to explain that it's not a good idea to touch fire? Would that be considered neglect?

Can a parent these days ever do right for doing wrong? How can you reasonably explain the danger anyway to a child too young to understand? If you even grab the hand and pull it away that could be classed as a physical assault. I honestly think things are more than a little out of proportion.

I don't smack my children. I don't have to. The mere fact that they know I'd like to if they warranted it is enough.

When I was at Junior school we had a teacher who used the ruler - once you'd experienced it you ddin't want the same experience again. It acted as a deterrant. We don't seem to have deterrants any more but we do have the situation which inspired this thread.

I've seen teachers attacked by children and unable to do anything about it. I've seen a teacher with a bleeding nose and split lip. I've seen a child hurl furniture across the room at a teacher and other children - the teacher is not allowed to do anything about it. These children know they are in control.