How do/would you feel about your child's babysitter smacking them?

Question

How do/would you feel about your child's babysitter smacking them?

Like when they do something that would get them hurt; climbing on something, running in the street, or hitting other children?

I think that it is wrong but I heard a conversation where people thought it was OK. Which way do you think?

RedSmartie · Accepted Answer

When I was a kid, my parents would give permission to babysitters and relatives to hit us if they felt we needed to be hit. My parents would only punish us physically if we did something REALLY bad, and even then it was just a light but firm open-palmed smack on the butt. So obviously I felt like hitting was reserved for really serious infractions and that nobody but our parents should do it. But sometimes we would get a babysitter or our "delightful" great aunt who would just hit us for any old thing, and sometimes without even saying no first or giving a warning. I find that people who are not in the immediate family are more liberal with physical punishments because they're not invested in the long-term well being of the child. They're more concerned with fixing the current problem as quickly as possible and they see permissible hitting as the fastest and most effective way to get things done, though it usually isn't the best way.

So no, my kids won't be hit by anyone but me and my husband. They're going to grow up understanding that hitting is a punishment for only the most serious problems. I'm going to have a much more humane and structured set of rules that I will pass on to anyone who watches my kids. But nobody will lay a hand on them but me.

KayleeJean · Accepted Answer

My parents believed in very strict discipline and the belt was used liberally on all 5 of us by our mom, your warning is 4 strokes of the belt on the butt, if you dared do it again it goes up to 8 strokes and it will be done on a bare buttock, I was 16 when I last had it. She never once allowed anyone else other than herself to spank us.

I practice a 3 strikes rule with my children, 1st time they get a stern warning and why their behavior isn't acceptable. 2nd strike I ground them and remind them of their promise they made when I gave them a warning. If they repeat what they shouldn't have done the 3rd time then the wooden spoon is used. I don't allow anyone else not even their father to spank them, if they need a spanking then I should be the one who must do it.

lace1228 · Accepted Answer

Every child is different and have different needs. Trust me I have 2 girls and they are very different. Ever situation is also different which means the consquince isn't going tp be the same. A child who runs on to the road can lead to their death. For myself spanking isn't ideal but once in awhile it is needed. If my babysitter was spanking them all the time and before using other dispiline techniques then I would be finding a new babysitter however I think a smack on the hand is better then a 3rd degree burn or doing something that can  cause serve pain.

ArtistBboy · Accepted Answer

Fired on spot, with a complaint against her license/business if she had one, additionally a lawsuit if marks are left behind, and possibly a call to CSD if she/he has children of their own, amongst many other things I could do.

The simple fact of the above statement is that there are other options to take than simply beating the sh*t out of someone, including but not limited to a simple spanking. Look up research on discipline of children and you'll see that often times, spanking is only enforcing the very behavior you wish to revoke from their life. Instead teach them stronger skills like breathing, collaborative problem solving, ethical behavior and how to be a sincere gentleman/lady when their out of bounds.

Though make no mistake, my child won't be a wuse. That kid is gonna have a hard road in front of him faced with motivation, drive, ambition, amongst a lot of things. And bet your ass that he/she will never slow down for any obstacle - but they will also be strong enough and capable enough to live a peaceful life knowing they don't have to fight ever challenge that steps in front of them, but in using their mind to move mountains. Corny, but true.

sammysamson84 · Accepted Answer

i live in germany ... since 2000 that's illegal here, even if it's your own child ...

so if I had children and a babysitter would dare to ... I don't know if I'd call the cops or put him/her into hospital ... not for a tap on the fingers or something that doesn't hurt, but really hurting someone in my family ... especially a child ... I'm no violent guy, but in that case ... you don't want to be around ...

kheserthorpe · Answer

There's no way they should be doing that without discussing it with the parents first, and you'd have to really know someone well to delegate that authority to them.

I really don't use physical punishment at all with my kids, but I would in some situations if appropriate for a given child. My wife has used it sometimes.

blackkid2 · Answer

Did I give permission? No? Then first I call the police because there's a battered wo/man who needs to go to the hospital. Then I create this battered wo/man out of my babysitter. If I gave permission then I gave permission so ...

toulouse · Answer

its only legal if the parent gives explicit permission--so in that case they'd be OK with it. so this Question is a bit odd.

i don't hit kids I wouldn't be comfortable with anyone hitting them., parent or otherwise. I would never condone it.

XRabbitHeartX · Answer

I don't like the idea of smacking my kids point period. So I would not allow my babysitter to do it. If I did find out that she did I'll be firing her ass for sure. My parents never smacked or spanked me and I have a lot of respect for them. It can be done. You just need to be consistent with your kids and not resort to easy quick fix solutions like hitting your child.

harveykinkle · Answer

It would only be alright if it was previously discussed and the parent brought it up and gave permission.

In todays day hitting is frowned upon which is unfortunate because I was hit and my sister was not and I have respect and she does not.

Time outs and grounding do nothing! Kids need a good shock to get it through their head !

Anonymous · Answer

It depends on what the "smacking" entails. Is it a light spank or a hard whack across the back/head?

If I gave permission for them to do so, I don't see any harm in a light spank. If it's without my permission, however, and violent, obviously I would then take action, if not legal.

Anonymous · Answer

As long as it was truly needed and not excessive, I wouldn't think anything of it.

Sometimes, it is necessary. And I'd WANT to leave my child with someone that did what my child needed, rather than what my child wanted. Why would I leave my child with someone that let him/her walk all over them? There are rules to follow and I'd want my child to understand that they have to follow those rules everywhere, not just with me.

Anonymous · Answer

How would you feel if your baby sitters son was raping your child on a daily basis yet you still send your child to the baby sitter everyday never figuring it out, and all your child does is cry everday you drop your child off there.  yeah, feel my pain I went through when I was a child, and you think smacking the child would be bad...

Stacyzee · Answer

It's not okay, it's my child only I have that authority not anyone I leave my child with.

If I think it's OK for babysitters to do that, then I must think its OK that their teachers and strangers do that has well.

Where is the logic?

LovelySerene · Answer

only if it was a slap on the hand...other than that, no way

oathtoyou · Answer

I am a nanny, and would NEVER hit the kids. It is not the babysitter's job to discipline the child in a physical way. Even if the parent gave me person... I wouldn't lay a hand on them.

clemdjd · Answer

that is not okay it is one thing fo a parent  to spank their own child but I don't think it is acceptable for a babysitter to do so

Nsntdhmn · Answer

I would  worry if the kid is small      but for a grown up kid if he was wrong than little spanking given  than I won't worry    ...

ladsin · Answer

lol I wouldn't mind as long as it wasn't excessive, I mean my mom gave my teachers the right to spank me as a child...

Brady · Answer

It's wrong.  I don't think parent's should do it and especially not another person.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd never consent to anyone hitting a child that is under my care.  I'm very much against any type of physical punishments as it is simply too fine a line between discipline and abuse.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't even like the idea of having a babysitter. if I have kids I will take care of them at all times, if I need help I would ask my sister for help

Anonymous · Answer

I've babysat a lot of kids (ages 3-15) and about 95% have said I should slap them if they misbehaved. Out of the probs 100 times they misbehaved, I slapped the kid (s) 99% of the time!

Anonymous · Answer

Bitch would be in jail by the end of the day!

Anonymous · Answer

I don't think I would allow it. I spank my kids. No one else.

irishelen · Answer

my child...? heck no!

dommage · Answer

I wouldn't accept it.

Anonymous · Answer

i wouldn't accept it

Anonymous · Answer

I think its wrong.

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