Dean's difficlut conversation with his son.

I think for the first lesson(s) "don't hit a girl. Period." is the right one. Donald's older exception is important -- and why I'm a little glad to be in Slovakia instead of the US with two boys & a daughter (7, 6, 5).

I'm trying more the "don't hit first." But my skinny, smart, nice sons both provoke, and are provoked, too easily.

I've accepted spanking as acceptable discipline, but I see (maybe live) the difficulty of teaching non-violent responses to both verbal and minor violent (poking) provocations.

I'm also trying to focus on letting them swat the hands of somebody who is hitting them (like the youngest, the daughter).

Very relevant discussion.