No, I'd try time out first, and only use smacking as a last resort. I think 12 months is too young, you can't explain to him why he's getting a smack and it could be very confusing for him. He may not understand what he's getting smacked for.

I think that a smack is wrong if its hard, a slight tap on the hand usually does the trick. But i would suggest trying to do a nughty corner or no play zone for a while. My son was like hell on wheels until we inforced the naughty corner... five minutes of sitting does a lot. Thats just my opinion though!!

As many other have said at this age, your child will not be bale to grasp the concept of No just yet, when you catch them in the act of doing something continue to say No we don't do this - then divert his attention to something he can do and stay with him and interact in the activity until you are sure his attention has been well enough averted from whats h's mot meant to be doing.

I too believe a smack on the bum or hand is ok when warranted but not out of anger or frustration as I can not yet reason with my 2.5y/o son where as a very dear friend of mine has a daughter a couple of months younger and hasw very good understanding of words and consequences and is there for able to be reasoned with.

I smacked a couple of times. Daughter was 3. No it doesn't help in my opinion. She would just hit me back, I smacked her because she was hitting me and then she back in return.  Now that we made the decision not too she hasn't been hitting me. !2 months is way too young. That really wouldn't be good. 12months is still a baby. Remove the object. Find something else to entertain them.Eg give a toy while changing nappy. Re arrange your house. I have started telling my 10 month off when he goes to the draws. All I do is say ah ah Mummy says no and move him away. Be consistant and strong voiced. He is now starting to realise when I don't want him to so something. Goodluck!

use other phrases instead of NO.   Get your son to look you in the eye and say "Please don't do that"  or "mummy dosen't like you playing with that, please play with somthing else.  Take no out of your vocabulary, use other phrases.  It takes time and is hard but consistancy is the key.  Try distraction and taking what ever he is doing ( like playing with something he is not supposed to) out of site (if possible)

My opinion is that smacking dosen't work and encourages your child to think that it is ok to do it to someone else.

now this is a very controversial subject, and i'm probly gunna get slammed for voicin my opinion but i DO believe in smacking!

smacking not flogging, there is a difference and there are people who take it too far.

i'm not sure that there is a particular age 2 start smacking, but i started out with the no dont do that thing which (for me) didnt work, then i smacked his hands usually if he was goin to touch something hot or dangerous, now that he is older (almost 2) he gets smacks on his bottom when he is naughty or doin something dangerous, but i dont just smack him and leave it to that i give him a smack and tell him what he got it for and that he shouldnt do that thing anymore.

i just think that reasoning with kids might work for some people but in my exsperience it doesnt work for most. my best friend who i love dearly has VERY different ideas on how to raise kids, she is a non smacker, non immuniser, non everything bacically and her kids walk alover her, she trys to reason with them and do the naughty chair but it isnt workin for her AT ALL, her kids are some of the worst behaved kids i have met, he 3 years old throws chairs and spits in her face (amounge other things) and her 6 year old is so rude its just not funny he back chatts and screams and yells at his parents (and gets away with it)

anyway all i'm sayin is that you do what works for you and dont worry what other people say bout your choices.

good luck!

I really think that he is way too young to fully understand what he is doing wrong, redirecting him is probably the best thing to do. I know it takes a lot more work, but he isn't at a stage yet that he can grasp what no means, or remember things from day to day. Just my opinion!

I have two girls and have never resorted to smacking, I really dont think it is necessary unless in a moment when a smack may avert a serious danger, but even then, your panic tone is usually enough to halt them. Children as young as 12 months dont have the concept understanding for No. So you have to teach it, I don't believe that need be a lesson in pain.

At 12 months children are exploring the world and the art of emotion and how it all works.  The art comes in the form of showing (drama skills come in handy then,LOL), repetition and distraction. Pick your child up say firmly "No we dont do that we do this" and engage in something fun to take their attention away from the negative.

Smacking can encourage children to belive it is OK to hit back. So at 2yrs old your little one could end up hitting out at you or others and then you are caught in the endless circle of you saying don't hit me, then you hitting him !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can remove the obsticle or area of contention, then they might cry a bit, but will move on to pastures new soon enough,LOL.

Just my thoughts.

Best Wishes. Winnie.