how were you punished???

[george_r_1961]

Well when the "look" from my parents didnt do the trick being grounded usually did. Mouthing off was a BIG no no, did that with my dad ONCE and believe me I NEVER did it again. On a few occasions when I was little my mother used a wooden spoon on me, not hard enough to bruise but hard enough to get my attention. I still have that spoon to this day

[MGC]

You name it, I got it. Spanking, grounding, soap in the mouth. All of it just strengthened my resolve not to get caught next time......MGC

[coriolis]

My mother had one of those paddles that came with the rubber ball and rubber band too.

My brother and I would occasionally get that paddle from our mother. If that didn't work, we'd get the big paddle from our father. I have to say that I got the big one only about 5 times during our entire childhood. I learned early to be respectful to them. It was a healthy fear.

While the paddlings were done in anger, we did get the message that it was because of what we did. Cause and effect. We learned to modify our behavior.

[Miss Mary]

I learned early to be respectful to them. It was a healthy fear.

Exactly. My dad got to read the paper first, have control of the TV (without remote) and watch his beloved shows - usually Lawrence Welk. We watched our shows around his. If your show conflicted - you just did not watch that show. I asked for a small portable TV for my xmas present one year (early teens) and I was so incredibly happy I received one. You would have thought I'd won the lotto!

I just don't recall backtalking my parents or asking for too much (such as kids today whine about). You just knew that one or two pairs of shoes were enough. Dress and casual. That was IT! One swimsuit that lasted until it got too small, one winter coat, one spring/rain jacket. My next door neighbors have 4 swimsuits per child (they have 3 kids). The wife complains how hard it is to pack for vacation. And I want to say - your kids have 3 too many swimsuits!

It was just a different time. We baby boomers grew up so differently than the generations that followed us.

Mary

[kevin]

Indeed! Why would someone need more than one swimsuit packed for a trip? I have more than one swimsuit just because I'm semi-retarded when I go on trips and forget to pack mine, so I buy one at the place. Even then I only have three swimsuits.

[alicia-w]

a belt, a flyswatter, a switch (that hurt the most and you could hear it coming), brussel sprouts and scrambled eggs...

[streetsoldier]

Viciously, thanks...it's taken me years to come to grips with it.

[HurricaneHunter914]

My mom one time punched me in the jaw. It was for talking back.

[stormie_skies]

Paddle, belt, open hands, fists, frying pans, whatever throwable object was within reach .... and no, I don't think it was healthy, and yes, my relationship with one parent has been (probably) irreparrably damaged because of it. My biggest problem with it, though, wasn't with the instruments or the violence - it was the circumstances and the fact that, unlike coriolis, it was largely divorced from my actions. Some days I could break every rule in the book and only end up grounded. But if said parent was having a bad day, I'd end up all bruised up cuz I accidentally spilt soda on the carpet.

I'm not 100% against corporal punishment - I do think it has its place, though I think it should be rare and there is a definite age window during which it is appropriate. But it needs to be controlled - not a wild lashing out of anger, but a direct result of an inappropriate action. And never something a parent enjoys administering....

[azsnowman]

A "razor strap" across the arse would straighten ME up in a HEARTBEAT If the razor strap wasn't readily accessible, a leather belt would suffice

[GalvestonDuck]

Ditto what SS and SS endured, and probably more details that we're failing to mention -- usually, in a fit of rage, without just cause.

[Pburgh]

I think the secret to punishment is consistency. When something is wrong it's wrong. It shouldn't matter if a parent is in a good mood or a bad mood. An action can't be laughed at and "really cute" one day and the next day if a parent is in a bad mood the same action gets a negative reaction. Kids understand consistency.