[Gobsmacked]

You have my sympathy in such an appalling situation Pixie. I hate to say this but that child needs a good hiding from his mother but no doubt is extrememly unlikely to receive it.

My apologies to Willow if my original posting was open to misinterpretation. It is indeed still acceptable to administer a "love tap" which leaves no mark. The problem lies with exactly how that is to be interpreted or indeed ven proved (as you will no doubt verify Pixie, from your own situation).

As I have said previously, and still maintain, the only children I have come across who have never been smacked have turned into manipulative vandalising hooligans who "know their rights".