Comments on: To smack or not to smack…

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:33:06 +0000

Hey Michelle! I totally agree that it is a parents right to choose how they discipline their children and when that discipline is carried out without causing harm to the child, then it is ok. It still saddens me that the NZ government resorted to making a law against smacking which has lead to good parents being prosecuted for smacking. Child abuse in NZ is a way bigger problem and far more involved than most people realise and the anti smacking bill shows that the government failed to consider the underlying problems behind child abuse. National mentioned removing the smacking bill as part of their election campaign so hopefully now that they are elected, they will carry that out. I think there are lots of things that NZ does right compared to other countries in the world but caring for their children is not one of them. You and Dan are awesome parents so I am sure that whatever discipline you use - its the right one! xxx

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:07:25 +0000

Hi Michelle -
My children are young adults now (22, 24 and 26) but even back in my day, it was tricky knowing when and how to discipline. Doing discipline the right way is so time-consuming, and exhausting. But the results are well worth it. I’m sure that you are following your heart and your head … God bless you and your family.

By: Priscilla

Priscilla — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:06:26 +0000

Yeah thats very true, New Zealand (and Australia) are such incredibly young countries!