One thing I can say is never, EVER spank or hit kids in any way. You're probably thinking right now that I'm just some snobby little kid who didn't like getting spanked, and I didn't like it all. In fact, the long term effects of corporal punishment outway the short term compliance with you, the parent. Spanking your kids will not only make them confused as to why your hitting them (i.e. they're told not to hit at school, but if they get in trouble then they get hit by you), even worse is that they will despise you, no matter how much they say they love you, every hit will make them despise you more. Hitting your kids also makes them more prone to aggression as adults, as well hitting there own kids, which just continues the pattern of aggression.