Reflection on a lesson from my Dad

Firstly I want to say, that whatever your feelings on physical punishment are, I am at ease with what I am going to describe next. My Dad is my hero. He has loved me without hesitation for 18 years. He’s cared for me, protected me, rescued me, and kept me safe. For the last few years I find it more amazing that he has ‘put up with me’.

My parents clearly felt my brother and myself should have a clear sense of right and wrong and to that end we were smacked when they felt we deserved it. However in the seven years I’ve spent in secondary school I’ve only been smacked three times and the time before last Sunday was at least three years ago.

I made the mistake of skipping the Friday afternoon of school. We are allowed to sign off site if we don’t have lessons but technically I did. I could have got away with it though as registers aren’t taken at every lesson, until my Physics teacher was talking to my Dad on Sunday afternoon and asked if I was better?

My Dad took it very seriously because exams are coming up and I’m ‘messing with my future’.

I’m not going to jazz up what happened, it is what it is, it wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t supposed to be. Traditionally I was sent to my room to change for bed and 5 minutes later my Dad arrived at my bedroom with ‘the slipper’ in his hand. Without any arguing I lay over his knee and 10 very hard and very painful whacks were delivered to my pyjama clad bottom. I remember subconsciously counting each smack in my head but although i suspect each of my butt cheeks received 5 whacks, I couldn’t swear to it. I didn’t cry out but I had damp eyes before I counted to 10.

We have always had a hug afterwards but this time was different. I could tell from his face that he regretted doing it and I am 100% certain that was the last spanking my Dad will ever give me. I think even my brother, who is two years younger than me, is now safe too.

I have always felt embarrassed, angry and hurt after receiving the slipper but I have already come to terms with it. I know it’s controversial and there is no way of really knowing, but I think I’ve become a better person for having painful consequences for my actions; however I do not agree with hitting children and if I’m lucky enough to have children of my own, they will not be spanked.

I will take the spanking from my boyfriend tonight and will reflect on that later!