[stacyone]

So my 15-month-old has started slapping me in the face -- not Daddy, just Mommy. We started time-outs the other day and it almost KILLED me. Hearing her cry as we walked away, my heart just shattered. I e-mailed my mom to tell her I don't know if I can do it again and her response was really great -- very wise. Thought I'd share it:

You will be able to do it because you love her. As parents, we have two important assignments: one is to protect the child from the world. The other is to protect the world from the child. Without anyone to teach us what is acceptable behavior and what is unacceptable, we are not much above the wild animals, who by the way also teach their young what is acceptable and not, and on which lessons may hang life itself. Loving Molly includes these tough lessons. Imagine how much worse you would feel if you'd hauled off and smacked her (many parents' approach). When I beg you not to spank her, this is why. Not that it will hurt her but that it hurts you. I remember and regret. Deeply, bitterly. I love you and trust you to find the best way, always. mom