'Memorable' Childhood Punishments (Page 4)

It's interesting because I look at this thread completely differently. I find it encouraging that the stories of punishment that border on, or are outright abuse, are from adults raised by the previous generation. All of the parents here seem to have a much better handle on correcting/punishing their children. I think this shows that as a society we've learned some things and have made some progress.

I know for myself, I admitted to being paddled as a child but I've never paddled my kids. My use of spanking has been extremely limited--only once that I can specifically remember.

I also think it's great for anyone on this board, and this thread specifically, to talk about their experiences as a child. This isn't a subject that we often talk about openly. It may have been good medicine for some people to put their thoughts and experiences down in writing in an open and safe forum.

Just my .02.

Back to the lighter side of this thread...

Not me, and not parental punishment, but the most memorable childhood punishment I know of:

My brother went to an all-boys Catholic high school.  His sophmore year, while on a hall pass, he spotted his buddy sitting in Morality class, and mooned his buddy, and the entire class by extention, thinking he was safe, since he was out of view of the teacher.  But the teacher saw my brother pass by the door, and given the reaction of the rest of the class, the teacher knew what had happened.  He asked my brother's buddy to have my brother report to his classroom first thing the next morning.

As soon as my brother got home that afternoon, he told Mom what he did.  My tried to keep a straight face while reprimanding him.  The next morning, my brother reported to the teacher's classroom first thing, and begged the teacher not to tell Mom (yeah, a little "brair rabbit" there).  Teacher said "OK, but you're going to write me a letter, stating exactly what transpired yesterday, and sign it.  I'm going to hold onto that letter.  You act up in anyway for the rest of your time at this school, and that letter is going to the principal."

The next year, that teacher became the Vice Principal, and the following year became the Principal.  My brother got the letter back at graduation, tucked in with his diploma. 

But who defines "quality time". I think it has gotten way to easy to judge one another (on this thread and beyond) when maybe we would be better served extending a helping hand. Who is to say that your kids friends Dad does not take him to do other activities that just don't happen to be fishing? What if you invited them to join you and your boys? I don't know, it just seems to easy to throw our opinions around and not really try to make a difference. I alone can not possibly fulfill every interest and need of my child. A few years ago we were planning a trip to the zoo with my kids (then 1 and 3). My neice and nephew were over and mentioned they had never been to the zoo, they were 10 and 13. It would be very easy for me to judge my brother and sister in law. I mean what the heck, who never takes their kids to the zoo right? But maybe they never asked? They take them camping almost every weekend in the summer, they go hunting, they go on 4 wheeler rides. Different interests, that is all.

It takes a village to raise a child.

Let's face it, being a parent is a freaking hard job. There are so many mixed messages I don't know if I'm ever doing the right thing. Children need attention, but don't spoil them. Children need love, but don't be their friend. Children need discipline, but don't cross the line. Well how do I get my child to open up to me if they don't feel I'm their friend? How can I possibly give my child all the attention they require?  My son says "Mommy watch this, Mommy look at me" 100 times a day. Should I feel quilty because 99 times I watch him and the 100th time I tell him I need to do the dishes?!

It's too easy to point fingers but how many of us have actually reached out to the struggling parent and tried to be a positive influence? As a teacher, as a friend, as a doctor. It is one thing to say you are doing it wrong, it is another to say let me help you.

Now, this probably sounds like I am judging everyone for judging but I'm really just trying to look at things from a different angle. This thread has really caused a lot of reflection for me and I know that I can do better.