“Spare the rod and spoil the child” is a quote that’s often used when people explain why they spank their children. But others have said a “rod” can be used to guide a child; it doesn’t have to be used for hitting.
Tia Mowry is someone who uses the rod for guidance instead of hitting, which she talked about on Monday during an interview on “The Breakfast Club.”
Mowry, who has a son and daughter, said she was hit as a kid but doesn’t think it’s the best way to discipline her little ones.
“My mom, she was very, very strict, still is,” she explained. “I grew up being spanked. It’s awesome and it’s great to an extent if that’s the way you want to parent, but I see it differently. If you’re spanking your kid, in my opinion, it’s because of you. It’s because of you and where you are in your head space.”
“You’re impatient, you just want to get this done and over with, whereas if you [do spare] the rod, then it takes more time, you have to talk to them, you have to explain,” added Mowry. “But I feel like there is, in my opinion, a better outcome because you’re explaining and you’re saying why, as opposed to just hitting them. But that’s just my opinion.”
Mowry then said her twin sister Tamera Mowry-Housley, who also has a son and daughter, sees things differently and spanks her children. She also told the radio hosts that her decision to not use corporal punishment has to do with raising kids that don’t fear her.
“Not that I’m afraid of my mom, but I don’t want my children being afraid of me,” Mowry explained. “I want them to be able to come to me and tell me anything. Of course, there will be times when they’re like, ‘I don’t want to tell my mom.’ But I want them to be able to not be afraid of me.”
After Mowry’s interview, people debated the topic of spanking and argued both sides.
“Respect Tia Nd how she raises her kids,” someone wrote on YouTube.
“About the parenting, I am for redirection first BUT, after four or five redirections, it is time to pop them; then you explain why and love on them,” one parent commented.
“The spanking part is generalized,” another person wrote. “There are some children’s personalities that need to know there are consequences more than others.”
