As a child I was brainwashed for hours (and sometimes days) for minor infractions. I would have much preferred a light smack on the bum and got it over with.

Now we have a two and a half year old boy in the house there are times when he pushes the limit (as will most kids) until he does get spanked.

When he had been told twenty times or more not to throw things at the cat there came a time when he had to be shown that it would hurt the cat. A light rap across the knuckles with the latest hard plastic toy that he'd thrown, did the job. He said OW! and gave me a thoughtful look, he hadn't realised that he might hurt the cat.

I must admit that the latest threat "Do you need to take a nap with Grandpa?" is becoming less effective, as he is learning to enjoy his naps.