The Spanking Seen Around the World

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There are mixed reviews that accompany this video seen around the world. An angry Baltimore mom is smacking around her son, after seeing him on television throwing rocks at police, involving himself in the riots. Some parents are calling the mother a hero with hashtags like #MomoftheYear, #ToughLove to #GoodParenting, while others claim this is the very example that led her son to committing violent acts. Some parents believe in physical punishment, but the real question is what are you teaching your child? Is this form of punishment appropriate?

Let me first say that I am appalled at the rioting in Baltimore, as well as the destruction throughout America in an effort "to gain justice" as a result of the injustices. Destruction is counterproductive. What's the point of attending these rallies when everyone can see the fights brewing?  Countless people -- our children -- are gathering in the streets to make a less than productive statement, and I think the first step in the right direction is this mom, who has paved the way for other parents to get out there and snatch their kids out of the streets, because an eye for an eye will absolutely leave the world blind. People are destroying their own communities. Rioting to "seek justice" for a man (Freddie Gray) they did not know, all while participating in countless injustices to so many other people you don't know?  Innocent victims are now batting homelessness, unemployment, and injuries because of the havoc. In my opinion, the only thing good that's come out of this Baltimore riot is the mom in the video. She's sending a wake-up call to America that screams, parents take control.

Over the years in watching friends raise their kids, to comparing my parenting style to others and my own parents, I think there is a fine line in what works and what doesn't. Because every child and parent is different, I believe the forms of discipline have to vary for each kid, because physical discipline (which I believe in) does not work in every case. Consequences are key, and knowing your child's personality and getting to the root cause of their misbehavior allows a parent to make a commitment to the discipline, and sets a precedent that the child should understand. Certainly there are situations when a parent loses their cool. But we have to ask ourselves, what lesson is learned in losing control? Now I will say that this video sends a powerful message, and although we can't always control our children's actions (particularly in this scenario where the child appears to be an adult), I agree with this mom losing her cool, because it may save her son's life; she may have prevented him from being shot by the police for his stupid behavior, injured, or arrested. Perhaps her actions did not help at all. As Baltimore Police urge parents to locate their children and get them home, despite this video showcasing a less than perfect scenario, this mom is trying to get her son home by all means necessary.  In my opinion, a good parent does whatever they can to protect their child. If that means physically kicking their butt up and down the street to get them in the house for their own safety and to avoid them ruining their life or worse, having to attend your child's funeral, then sign me up every time. No parent wants their child to be a victim of the streets, and for that reason, I say #KudosBaltimoreMom.

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-OzzyMommy