Smacking

It is important that children learn how to behave and control their own behaviour as they get older.  Parents have a very important job as a role model for their children in helping them to learn how to do this.

 

Teaching children from a young age by setting limits and explaining reasons to these limits helps to instill self-discipline.  Smacking, which controls your child from the outside, has not long-lasting positive effect.  In fact smacking usually has to increase in severity in order to have the same impact on your growing child.  This is where the thin line between smacking and hitting can be crossed.

 

Have you ever smacked your child?  The answer from many parents reading this will be yes.  Every parent experiences frustration with his or her child at various times.  It is at these times that a parent may smack in the heat of the moment, but this is an outlet for the parent's frustration, rather than a helpful way of influencing the child's behaviour.

 

However, simply because lots of people may have smacked their children does not mean it is the best way to punish your child or ensure good behaviour.  Those who say smacking is acceptable have argued that it is not harmful in the long term and is the most immediate form of discipline.  It is much more helpful and safer to notice and reward your child's positive behaviours, to encourage the behaviours you want.

 

The numbers of parents who smack their children is decreasing and lots of those who continue often do so because they are not sure that other methods work.

 

In this society parents are not allowed to physically harm their children regardless of any individual, cultural or religious justification.  As a result, child protection professionals will assess incidents of physical ill treatment of children, in order that they can understand, prevent and explain the consequences of further incidents.

 

The new Children Act 2004 outlaws smacking if it causes harm such as bruises, reddening of the skin or mental harm.

 

	Warning Signs A child who flinches when they fear they will be hit.  Smacking a child in frustration with a force, which in hindsight was unnecessary Leaving bruising and other marks on a child.
	Action If you are concerned about your own or someone else's smacking get support for the organisations listed under Contacts.  If it is someone you know, offer practical help and suggestions about alternatives.
	What to say Tell your child they have crossed boundaries or broken family rules.   Use your tone of voice and facial expressions to help them understand.  Explain your reasons why.
	Prevention Make it a general rule not to smack your child.  Use other ways to discipline; set clear limits and explain them, be firm and consistent, ignore trivial bad behaviour and reward good (perhaps use a star chart).
	Contacts Talk to your Health Visitor Barnado's  0208 550 8822 NSPCC National Helpline  0808 800 5000 NSPCC Asian Helpline  0800 096 7719

This handbook has been produced by Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board with additional funding from Peterborough City Council.