i had to spank my two-year-old niece today . he was n't listening and kept doing the same mistake over and over , defying me . i do n't like to be physical , and i 'm sure others would look down on it , but i did n't feel like i had a choice . i think the right amount of spanking is ok . i was spanked as a child and know i deserved it . hopefully you did n't take it to far though ! yeah , i did n't . i try to use it sparingly so that it has more meaning . but he 's not even my own child , so it felt wrong in a way . and i also felt like i failed because i could n't get through to him without doing it . do n't beat yourself up too much . spare the rod , spoil the child . your guilt seems to be from what other people might think . you know if it was necessary or not .
Having to resort to physical discipline on a child who is not one's own triggered the feeling of shame.