Originally posted by lamontb:
ll didn't get hit with switches? I live in DC and I used to get hit with them as a kid. My grandmother made you go pick your own switch then would beat you with it.
I only got the switch once, but yep, it was grandma...and yes she made me pick it off the tree. But still plenty of wooden spoons, belt, etc. The "experts" would tell you I should be all f***ed up and mal-adjusted, but pretty sure I turned out okay.
Now days you're supposed to have an encounter session with your "child", start off by telling them how wonderful they are, then without using a voice that might frighten them or convey disappointment, tell them you have reservations about the choices they are making, but because you want them to "develop into their own person" you will respect their space and allow them to keep making choices.