Mum sparks fierce debate after saying smacking means you’ve ‘lost control’ and it teaches kids ‘that hitting is ok’

SMACKING kids is a controversial topic – perhaps more so now that Scotland and Wales have decided to ban it.

But when one Mumsnet user asked if it was still an acceptable method of discipline, her fellow mums slammed her for “losing control” and teaching her child that “hitting is ok”.

A mum-of-two has sparked a furious debate after asking if smacking is still an acceptable form of punishmentCredit: Getty – Contributor

In a post titled ‘To ask for help with smacking?’, the woman revealed she didn’t feel comfortable discussing her “taboo” dilemma with anyone in real life.

“Background is, I was smacked as a child and to be honest I don’t think it did me any harm,” she wrote.

“Not abusively but when I did something really naughty I would get a smack on the bum or across the back of the legs.
“I smacked my two children when they were toddlers, again not excessively but I did do it.

But Mumsnet users said it was a signs she had "lost control" — But Mumsnet users said it was a signs she had “lost control”Credit: Rex Features

“My youngest is now six and she is extremely trying with her poor attitude in particular answering me back, acting up and saying horrible things to me.
“Yesterday she screamed in my face and for the first time in ages I smacked her.

“It clearly took her by surprise as she looked shocked and then cried. I felt guilty afterwards and have mixed emotions about it.

“I have been at the end of my tether with her recently and her behaviour.

They claimed smacking teaches children that is is "ok to hit" — They claimed smacking teaches children that is is “ok to hit”Credit: Getty – Contributor

“I have tried the usual naughty step, confiscating things, reward charts etc and nothing works as she doesn’t care.

“I’ve spoken to her teachers and they say she’s not like it at school.

“So the smacking was me losing my temper out of exhausting all other avenues, which I know I shouldn’t have done.”
The mum-of-two asked if she was an “awful mother”, and her fellow mums didn’t hold back with their thoughts.

Both Scotland and Wales have decided to ban smackingCredit: PA:Press Association

One person replied: “Smacking is never ok and is especially wrong when done in anger.

“It means you have lost control. It never works as a way of improving behaviour and it gives a message that hitting is ok.”

Another commented: “I always felt that smacking was more for the parent to ‘vent their spleen’ rather than actual discipline, and as such, is wrong.”

A third shared: “She will learn from you that hitting is okay. Just saying.”

And a fourth added: “Smacking is about losing control. And that’s not the position you’d hope to be in as a parent. So, count to ten, walk away, try to get someone else to intervene.”