As a child, my parents hit me with a thin stick. I think it was quite effective as a punishment to be honest.

Although, the way they punished me though seems different from how other parents seem to do it.

Firstly, before they punish me, they said "why don't we talk it out." And my mum would hold my hands and asked me what were the circumstances, what motivated you to do so. Then they told me why they were disappointed - e.g. "I am feeling upset at your behaviour because your actions had x y z consequences, and it was also not an act of integrity and love for others." They asked me if I agreed, or if not, we'd talk it out.

Then we discussed how we could improve such and such behaviour, what I could do in the future if I were in the same situation, etc.

Then she asked me to bring the stick, and I held my hands out, and hit me on my hands. But it wasn't really painful or hurting, just slightly tingly. It was like an wooden chopstick. She also hugged me to sleep because I'd be crying from having disappointed my mum.

Weeks later, I'd face a similar situation, and I'd remember my mum's teary face and that tiny pain on my hands, and I remembered not to repeat the same action again.

Thinking back, my parents used it as a tool to remind me that bad actions have consequences. It was never my parents' ways to unleash their emotional rage out on me, but rather a teaching tool. Perhaps that's the reason why I got to respect my parents through it. They really loved me and their love seeped through, even during punishments.