By Josh Hoffman - @JoNoHoffman on Twitter - Logo courtesy of Lethbridge Family Centre

Family Centre: Physical Discipline of Children: Is it Ever Appropriate?

Feb 21, 2016 | 7:09 AM

LETHBRIDGE – There are alternatives to spanking your children.

So says Parent Educator, Petra DeBow, with the Lethbridge Family Centre who believes spanking and child abuse lead to trauma and long term mental health issues.

DeBow says you can prevent having to use discipline by developing a good relationship with your child and focusing on their positives.

“So, lots of communication, affection, talking, and building that foundation of a relationship. Just by doing that, you can prevent a lot of misbehaviors from happening.”

DeBow claims a recent StatsCanada report shows 25 per cent of Canadians spank their children.

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“The likelihood of escalating, when you’re choosing to use spanking as a discipline, is extremely high. Escalating into more violent ways of disciplining [your child].” 

Canada’s spanking laws may get an overhaul as part of the government’s promise to adopt the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.