A MUM is defending how she disciplines her children after claiming she was reported to social services for smacking her son.
Catherine Sunshine, who has a two-year-old son and one-year-old daughter, feels her parenting is being unfairly scrutinised because of the way she chooses to 'tell off' her toddler.
But even though smacking is legal in Britain, Miss Sunshine, of Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, believes most parents are too scared to admit they smack their children because of fear of repercussions.
"I don't punish out of anger but I discipline out of love, and I'm angry at the way social services are prying into every detail of mine and my children's life, with the implication that I'm abusing them," said the 20-year-old.
"I'm not going to wallop an infant or a toddler, I would never do that, but I smack my child to discipline him.
"I must have only smacked my son twice in nearly the two years we have been going to play group, and that could hardly be seen as abuse.
"But the group claimed it was against their policy and instead of sitting down and having a meeting with me, or issuing a warning, they lodged a cause for concern with social services.
"Social services do a lot of good and are needed, but I feel it's ridiculous that they're questioning my parenting abilities for something that does no harm to my child.
"My son isn't covered in bruises or emotionally damaged, my GP has vouched that my children are perfectly healthy.
"Should I just let my children run wild or put them in a 'time out' until they're 25, because of other people's views on discipline?
"It's madness."
After receiving the complaint, social services made a visit to the home that psychology student Miss Sunshine shares with her children.
"Social services are there to highlight cases where there is genuine concern, but my children are not at risk," she added.
"Smacking is legal and there is a stereotype that only unemployed, uneducated people smack their children, which just isn't true.
"But now, because of social services' involvement, I'm worried that the second my children get bruises or graze their knees, I'm going to be accused of hurting them, which is horrible.
"This claim will also follow my children when they start school and it could be really damaging for them.
"I'm not going to stop smacking my children, but I'm angry at the way I'm portrayed for having the guts to admit this is what I do.
""I am frustrated at the lack of freedom parents seem to have in choosing how to discipline, whether a parent smacks or not, isn't it up to the parents to decide, not the state?"
Essex County Council, which is in charge of social services, did not respond to the Chronicle.
