The age of criminal responsibility

[Wilberforce]

I was never hit as a child . my Dad had a look that meant I had gone far enough. If I did something bad we talked about it, and I was always given choices, if I made the wrong choice I had to accept what the consequence was .I learned very early that if I was given a choice my Dad would not change the outcome if I chose wrong..never..it was always my decision. I remember I was going to a real big party, I was all dressed in my finery but I had been supposed to help Mum with dishes that day and I had not done it. I argued that I was dressed up and I would be late if I did it and said I would do it the next day. My Dad simply threw me an apron and said he would drive me so I wasn't late. The choice was I did the dishes with Mum as promised earlier or I didn't go to the party.

Dad suggested to Mum that she come and sit down, so there we sat.. I was very determined and refused to do the dishes or put on the apron. My Dad suggested I hurry and decide as the water was getting cold. I still refused. After about half an hour my Dad said to Mum, come on change the water and I will help you, they did the dishes. I was not allowed to go to the party and despite pleading, promises of dishwashing for the next month and temper tantrums my father was adamant. I was the only kid in my class at school that didn't go to that party. I rarely made the wrong choice after that.

I lived in a area were spankings and worse were the norm, my parents never did it, nor with the dogs either LOL My father taught me it was totally unnecessary to hit a child to teach it how to behave I adored and respected him and am very grateful for the ideals he gave me. I believe a blow to a child is very wrong and it is not the type of blow either, no matter how small, it is very wrong to hit a child in order to teach it..the only thing you are teaching the child id that it is OK to hit something that you love. It's not.

 

[Warrigal]

Jeannine, your dad was a very wise parent.

As for the dogs, you remind me of my father scolding our little dog. He would make a guttural growling sound in this throat to get her attention. Then in a stern voice he would say "You... ugly man's... dog." She would hang her head in shame while I had to suppress a chuckle.

 

[Wilberforce]

You are right he was very wise. I never heard him raise his voice, He was a business man known for his fairness and his employers loved him. I was born to my parents when they were in their forties, the baby of four and my Dad was my hero.

I remember if we were going somewhere as a family, Mum and the rest of us would be fussing about loading the car, water for the dog, find the glasses, turn the lights out , usually running around like idiots . Dad used to just say shh shh and tap his hands up and down and we all would stop getting all worked up.

I like your Dads idea of dog rearing, and it works too. Clever man.

I have a naughty voice a sort of Ch Ch Ch noise as if I am starting the word chuck and it works too. If one of my babies does something bad I pick her up take her to the mirror and say " I will show you what a naughty girl looks like" It never fails.