Ohhhhhh...my dad did this so well. The Vulcan neck pinch my brother and I used to call it.
I'll have to remember that one when my little one is acting up (I'm due any second now). Thank God my husband and I believe in, what today would be called, "Strict Parenting" Forget this Spare the Rod, mamby pamby crap. I will remember this post in 2 years when the little guy is acting up, I promise. :) Thanks for the memory!
Suz
When I want to talk to my son in a public place, and there is a lot going on around us, and I just need to remind him of what is expected of him, I put my hand on the back of his neck just to gently pull him close and I bend down close to his ear. No pressure, no pain -- but it says to him "stand still and listen to me for a moment and all will go well".
More and more all I need to do is touch him there to get his undivided attention.
But, like Fonzie said to Richey, "you need to have hit somebody in order to not need to."