Do you smack your child(ren)?

Am following a fan page on Facebook and one of the status updates a few days ago asked its fans if they smacked their children in public on the legs or on the bum when they misbehaved.

Interestingly the response was mostly 50-50. Some have done so, some haven't and will not.

Those who had, did it because warnings and time outs have failed them while they were out and so a smack was issued. For some it was also a case of a dangerous act, like running across the road without waiting.

The other party who did not and refused to do it are against any form of physical punishment and deem it as an act of violence and abuse. One of them would have liked to 'report' some of the posts.

As I read the comments with interest and some disbelief, I must admit that I will smack my child in public if that's the last thing that will get the message across. I do smack at home too. And I do give warnings.

You may disagree with my point of view though.

I nearly smacked Miss 3 once for running across the road without waiting for me, which she was always told to do so. The best part was, she didn't even look out for cars. I went after her, with my big belly threatening to bounce off the body and gave her a stern lecture on the other side. The look on her face told me that she got the message and will not require a smack to enforce that message of danger. However, there were times when I was home and she would push boundaries. When 3 warnings and a time out didn't work, she got a smack on the bum.

I don't encourage physical punishment, although I grew up with them. The Bible says, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Proverbs 13:24.

It does not promote punishment by the rod, but it does mean strict discipline by the parent. In love.

And when it comes to discipline, I have to admit that every child is different. There is no one set method that can be used to discipline every child.

And so, back to the discussion on the fan page. From what I've read, none of the parents sounded like they were abusive. And the reason behind the smack were mostly due to plenty of warnings given or in dangerous situations. Sphere: Related Content

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean

I'm now 29 weeks into my pregnancy and for a few months, I've been having this nagging thought and desire to have a vaginal birth. Did lots of reading on the internet and spoke to people who have gone through vaginal birth after caesarean, or VBAC in short.

The consensus is that, it's a much safer option than another round of caesarean and really, God did make us to give birth vaginally too. But I'm sure times have changed over the years, with diet, lifestyle and medical technology - more and more women are going through caesarean, rather than vaginal birth.

I wanted to make a last proposal to my OB/GYN for a VBAC and hear what my risks and chances are. He said that in most cases, it is possible to do a VBAC if the first caesarean was a distressed baby. i.e., if the child was breeched, or low placenta, or premmie. But, in my case, I had the full labour but bub was stuck and did not progress as my cervix did not widen, so a VBAC could result in the same situation and needing emergency caesarean. Hearing that, my heart sank somewhat.

I can give birth safely, but the chances of my baby born safely and smoothly would be a 50-50 chance. At this, I only had half my hopes left.

The clincher came when he said that I have a low placenta. Sigh. What hopes have I left? Caesarean it is then.

It was a rather painful decision to do a caesarean, even though I know that it is all for the good of the baby and myself. Definitely not looking forward to 6-weeks of painkillers and not able to drive on my own. But, thankful that God has given mankind the intelligence to advance medical technology to protect mothers and babies.

Commented to husband a couple of nights back that I will probably be one of those women who will die at childbirth if I was born in the olden days where birthing were done by midwives.

And now, on to the next step of pregnancy - packing the hospital bag and coming up with baby names.

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Night time toilet training

Not that I'm doing the toilet training much. Little Miss 3 has been keeping herself dry at night and we haven't had to change her sheets since she decided to wear her panties to bed about 2 weeks ago.

She's probably been dry for a long time now, but we're just too lazy to get her into her panties at night. But I'm glad we went with her suggestion to go without nappies because it's saving us tons of money!

I've heard so much horror stories of parents waking up in the night to change sheets and some had to change the mattress because there was just so much wee, I have held back with the night time toilet training. Another excuse? I was horribly sick with morning sickness.

But one good advice given by all parents is : Do not rush, let your child decide at their own time.

How very true! It really saved us a lot of hard work and sleepless nights. No doubt the expenses spent in buying and throwing away nappies was huge, but we're glad we let her decide on her own. Hopefully this next bub will follow in her sister's footsteps and be just as mature and well-behaved. Sphere: Related Content