The results on the survey whether spanking is effective are not really surprising. I do not agree with spanking and would like to advise parents to try other more positive methods.

Most parents who use spanking do find it effective because it works for them. Children do stop their misbehaviour when parents spank them or threaten to spank them. But is this the only to discipline children? I truly hope not. If only parents will try a little harder, there will be other ways to discipline children. Children who are spanked learn that when they are bigger and stronger, they can also use physical means to solve their problems. This is something I am sure parents do not want their children to learn.

The cost of using spanking is too high for parents with young children. There will be negative effects that will become more apparent when children grow older. Whether spanking is effective or not, parents should consider other means of non-punitive approaches to discipline children.

I would definitely say 'No to spanking'

Just came back from Cherating, Pahang. We took 3 days off to spend some time at the beach. The place was crowded because of the school holidays. We have not gone to the beach for a while so this was a good break for us.

We shared a great deal during this short break. My girls are into teen talk while their dad was always harping on the fact that they should hit the books as soon as they get back. I tried to balance things between them.

I really enjoy short breaks with the family even when I have deadlines to work on. A little does go a long way. The girls are heading towards teenage years. There will a different set of challenges. Meanwhile, we are enjoying their company as inquisitive and slightly awkward children/preteen.

Ruth

This is a milestone in my parenting life as well as it is for my almost 11 year-old child. She went to her first camp yesterday. She was very excited. More than I was, thinking what can be so much fun sleeping in the open air. The whole thing about sleeping on concrete floor(the camp is at the school's compound) in a tent with two other girls must be very interesting to an 11 year-old.

She packed her knapsack all by herself. She made a list and stuck by it. Something I am still working on myself. I can never make a list and stick by it. I find it more fun to go with the flow. I must say, I was very impressed by her planning and focused behaviour.

She is still at camp as I write this. I wonder what she's up to now. I can't help but worry a little. I know everything will be alright at the end of the day. My concerns and my worries are just me doing my parenting thing.

I can't wait to hear her stories about camp. She is going to talk non-stop for the next few days about her camp. And, I'm all ears!

Ruth

I read the following from an article about raising children recently:

“You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next 16 telling them to sit down and shut up”

I found it entertaining, yet there are some truth in it.

The children must be wondering what went wrong with the parents.. I used to think like that when I was a child; I could not understand why my parents do not allow me to go out with my friends at night, why I should not stay overnight at friend’s house, why I must come back by 10pm if I ever goes to any birthday party.

Now that I am a mother of 2, I truly understand it. There are lots of concerns/worries that only parents will understand. There is no way for a child to understand your concerns no matter how many times you tried to explain to them. The only time they understand it is when they are parents themselves. Just like me.

Thanks to my parents who say no to many of my requests back then.
Thanks to my parents who still love me despite my misbehaviors.
Thanks to my parents who accept me as who I am.
Thanks to my parents who never give up on me.

Here the eight ideals of attachment parenting:

• Feed with love and respect.
  
• Respond with sensitivity. “Remember that crying is your infant’s way of telling you he or she is distressed.”
  
• Feed with love and respect.
  
• Practice nurturing touch. “Helps satisfy the baby’s need for closeness, touch and affection.”
  
• Nighttime parenting. “It is important to be responsive to a baby’s nighttime needs.”
  
• Provide consistent loving care. “Avoid ‘caregiver roulette.’”
  
• Practice positive discipline. “Non-violent methods of discipline and loving guidance promote the development of self-control and empathy toward others.”
  
• Strive for balance in personal and family life. “Can be achieved by taking care of yourself through exercise, quiet time and healthy eating.”