When I was a kid, we had a set of (very lightweight) plastic toy skittles. On one of them my mum drew a happy face one side, and a sad face on the other side. That skittle then sat on top of the fridge with the happy face showing. But when we misbehaved, the skittle would get turned around to show the sad face (that was a warning ). And if the mischief continued, we 'got the skittle'.
Thinking about it now, I don't think it would have been possible to inflict any actual pain with such a light plastic skittle ... but I seem to recall that the threat “I’m turning the skittle around now” used to get my attention.
We got the wooden spoon as children; I have no problem with that. But I don't know, I think I'd be terrified of a wooden spoon with a face on it - I'd probably have nightmares about Mr Smacky coming for me, all the while with a smile on his face at the prospect.
As for lightweight things, Maso, I'm reminded of the time when Dad told my sister to get a "twitchy stick" to be spanked with (nothing like letting the kids choose part of their own punishment) so my sister went for the thinnest, lightest stick she could find. Let's just say that she never did that again!
Ready and waiting with a smile.
OK, now that's quite funny because...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, we had a set of (very lightweight) plastic toy skittles. On one of them my mum drew a happy face one side, and a sad face on the other side. That skittle then sat on top of the fridge with the happy face showing. But when we misbehaved, the skittle would get turned around to show the sad face (that was a warning ). And if the mischief continued, we 'got the skittle'.
Thinking about it now, I don't think it would have been possible to inflict any actual pain with such a light plastic skittle ... but I seem to recall that the threat “I’m turning the skittle around now” used to get my attention.
I like that. Mr Smacky / Skittle... makes discipline fun!
ReplyDeleteWe got the wooden spoon as children; I have no problem with that. But I don't know, I think I'd be terrified of a wooden spoon with a face on it - I'd probably have nightmares about Mr Smacky coming for me, all the while with a smile on his face at the prospect.
ReplyDeleteAs for lightweight things, Maso, I'm reminded of the time when Dad told my sister to get a "twitchy stick" to be spanked with (nothing like letting the kids choose part of their own punishment) so my sister went for the thinnest, lightest stick she could find. Let's just say that she never did that again!
Things like Mr. Smacky don't freak out our kids. There's as much fun in him as anything. But I imagine he's not for everyone!
ReplyDeleteFor smacks etc (which are reasonably rare in our household) the main punishment is in the insult of being smacked rather than the pain inflicted.