Smacked

The small one got smacked last night. Really hard. The big one smacked him once but that one time was was enough to leave angry finger welts on his arm for the next 10 minutes. The small one screamed for about as long after that.

Small one was uncooperative the whole evening. Didn't want to get in the car, didn't want to get out of the car, didn't want to carry his bottle properly, dragging it around, didn't want to walk properly, didn't want to be carried, didn't want to follow close, didn't want to sit down and the last straw was picking up dirty chopsticks when specifically told not to...SMACK!

The chopsticks went flying out of his hands. Am suddenly aware everyone's looking at us. Judging. Wonder if anyone thought of calling the police?

Much later, made them both apologise to each other. The small one, for being naughty and the big one, for losing his temper and for smacking the small one.

Smacking is just so passe now. I don't smack the little one at all. I just use time-outs. The big one does (evidently), but on very rare occasions.

Am not sure whether it is right or wrong. The little one was an angel after that smack but I strongly believe that because we don't smack (well, only that once in a blue moon) or beat or pinch or slap or kick him, the small one hasn't learnt how to smack or beat or pinch or slap or kick his little friends when he doesn't get what he wants either.

Good or bad?

Is it a sign of maturity or a sign of repression?

Who's to tell?

Really?