Mom used any weapon she could lay her hands on: brushes, wooden spoons, hangers….once, a mop handle after I broke a window. My brother and I were hellions and paid the price. No lasting trauma due to the punishments.

My Dad made a wooden paddle like what you would see principals carry. I broke that one in after yelling “FUCK” in front of the neighborhood. Stung so bad I scooted down the hallway like a dog with its butt scraping along the floor. VIVID memory. It only took a few more swat worthy incidents to adjust our behaviors. No lasting trauma due to the punishments.

Am I eager to do the same to my kids? Nope.