This message was originally posted by
luvgodzkidz.
I look at spanking as a last resort. You said that you do not spank very often, but that you do. Put yourself in your childs shoes, even being that they are only 3. How would you feel if you got spanked for something but the foster child did not they just got time out or even a loss of a privalage. I was in a home where they spanked the bio kids and the bios and family thought that it was unfair that the others did not get the same punishments. Then she would spank the younger foster children as they would not say anything like an older child would. I do not personally have a problem with spanking a child, but I do use it as a last resort. I try anything and everything else first.
I also know that through training they do give you other methods of discipline. They do work, although I would say to look into it a little further. I would even go on a trial run without spanking. I would tell the agency what your plan is. I would also let them know that you would be willing to go to another part of the house and away from the foster if you chose to spank your child for what they had done. Document what occured and what you tried and show that to the agency. For example say your child took all of the toys out and would not put them away. Try different methods of discipline and note the response recieved and even the amount of time that you gave or allowed their response. If you try other methods and the child does not respond and you have nothing left to do then practice what you would do if there was a foster child. Tell your child to go to his room, if he refuses to go take him there. Then go and make sure that the child is busy and not going to get into something. Then go back to your child and talk with them and if you chose spank them. Tell them when they are done crying and ready to do as you told them to that they may come and do that. Don't make to big of a deal about it. Then let your agency know what your results were. Share with us as well what you come up with.
Hart4godkidz@aol.com