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Thank you for sharing your story...I too have encountered "nosey-do-gooders" who think that a swat or two on the diapered bottom is akin to the beating that we've seen on this video. And yes, overly permissive parents often (but not always) turn out to have horrid teenagers, who act out because they don't know their boundries. I wish I was close enough to offer to baby-sit, sounds like you both could use a long night out (without the kids). Hang in there, it does get easier...I made it thru' (3 kids in 6 years--youngest was a "surprise" baby) and my kids (who were all disciplined; time outs, spanked at times, grounded, etc.) have turned out to be fine young adults.

Thanks...we are better this morning but still frustrated and alarmed. It was one of the most unusual things(in a bad way) that's ever happened to me as a parent. Giving spanking are still rather new to me, since my daughters were so much more compliant at that age. I spanked them maybe 5 times each when young (under age 7 or 8). My son...either my wife or myself could spank him almost daily if we had the heart for it....we refrain more often than not.

Of course, when I was a boy (35 years ago), everybody got spankings or worse....whippings. I have promised myself not to go the whipping route nor to slap as was also common back in the dark ages when I was raised. I never whipped or slapped my girls. Now, we have to be on guard for do-gooder Nazis calling the cops to report you if you spank. It is absolute nuttiness. These same folks would probably report you if you teach your children morality creeds that they find politically incorrect or G-d forbid, you instruct your children in the safe respect and use of firearms when they are old enough.
And everyone thinks it's only the religious right trying to impose behavior standards on everyone.
There are of course those wonderful little angels that never need any discipline. Likewise, behavior is not entirely a learned thing. Some kids are simply born more strong willed and fearless than others. My son gets it naturally from many ancestral sources....including both his parents.

Warm Regards.

Thanks.....and a warning to all the youngsters on this forum waiting till their mid 30s or so to have a family:

I'm almost 45. My wife is 37. Our parents are too old or have passed on so we have a scarcity of babysitters. Fortunately we have a nice Christian College nearby (David Lipscomb) and the girls we've hired through their service are top notch but after tips and all it's about 10 bucks an hour. Grandparents are much cheaper...lol.

It's just one of those little things we never thought about much till the aforementioned hellion came along. Hellion #2 (I'm assuming so given his genome map) is due anyday in the next month. He is gonna be a bit early we both suspect.

My two early teen daughters were a snap as toddlers. Now at 13 and 14...lol...well you know what I mean. Aside from holidays, I have to either bribe them or lay a big guilt trip to get them enthusiastic about visiting from my ex-wife and husband-in-law. I hate bribing kids. Teenagers know no other universe than the one between their ears....they also think everyone is "looking at them".....especially girls.