Kate was an attractive woman in her early 30s and had two daughters from a previous marriage – Denise, who was eight at the time, and six-year-old Kristie. She has ended up in timeout multiple times, has been told multiple times what the expected behavioral expectations are, and we have had multiple conversations discussing how I can help her manage her behaviors and emotions more positively; and still, misbehavior occurs. The plan was for my friend’s mother to sneak in by the back door the next morning because, and I quote: “She wanted to surprise you, and fancied smacking your bottom too because it would be fun! When I’ve thought about the consequences I have experienced at the hand of God, sometimes they have been painful.

Kristie, who had been trained to never lie when she did something wrong, lest she make her spanking worse, said: “We all did. I am pretty sure my heart stopped as she said: “I’ll give you one if you don’t get back in there and help your mum tidy up! No other type of publication of these stories is permitted without written authorization of the Flogmaster. I am a huge advocate for natural consequences being the first, most effective means of discipline, but there are cases when that isn’t appropriate.Although there was no-one else using the playground at the time, I’m sure that people driving by on the road must have noticed. Now hear me clearly, I am not advocating in any way, shape, or form for hurting your children for the sheer purpose of hurting them. It felt different from the night before because it was my own mum, and at first I thought it was for real. I was standing about 10ft away, but the walk to that bench felt like one of those dreams in which you are walking toward a destination but never get any closer to it. So that I am clearly understood, as I recognize this is a sensitive matter for many, I define spanking as an open-handed slap to the bottom or to the top of the hand.

After the spanking was over, we would be sent back to the corner with bare bottom showing, usually for 30 minutes or so, before we were allowed to pull up our pants and go on about our business. And in doing so, I must deal out discipline to them that is loving, appropriate, and filled with grace.My mind wandered a couple of times to a rule I had known throughout my younger years – that being in trouble at school would result in an immediate spanking. Spankings were never given in anger but were very measured and controlled, and Mom had a set procedure that turned a spanking into an ordeal. Go and sit on that park bench while I try to clean up this mess and don’t you dare move from that bench! What’s more, for Kate, being out in public never stood in the way of administering corporal punishment if she thought it was needed.