Every child is different, and different methods work on the same child for different things. The 2 main things to keep in mind are
1. Be consistent. Sometimes you don't want to be the bad guy or are busy with other things, but your rules need to apply anyway.
2. Follow through. If you say there will be a consequence, then the child needs to know that you mean business.
Totally agree with @sweetvegetable. ..well said.
For the first 7 years they should be treated extremely nice and listened to and constantly given attention. They should only be punished for limited number of things and that punishment should not be harsh the goal is to teach. Afterwards the next 7 years they will listen to you and barely do anything bad. It's hard and takes a lot of constraint and patience but if pulled off correctly has great results.
I have never smacked (spanked) my children. I feel if I would be arrested for it doing it to an adult, why is it ok for a child? I'm very strict with my children. When young, a very firm voice and totally ignoring for a short time til they apologise and explain why they're apologising worked for me. I now find what they love the most then give them 1 threat of taking it off them then FOLLOW IT THROUGH. Consistency is the key. Clear borders and clear discipline works. They are now 17 & 15 and they're respectful boys and loving and not aggressive. I was smacked as a child and I was a terrible teenager with horrible anger problems. It only made me feel angry and hurt when I was hit. I feel physical discipline FOR ME means a loss of control of the situation and I've never regretted not using it.
But i do agree on taping the hand so u gett attention from the child so u can exsplain why they in the wrong and how are they gonna fix it
Why thwy hell wud u flick a babys mouth why breastfeading and spanking is a No I was spanked and never done nuthink for me just made me and angry and i treated my child diffrently i tuk a toy of her and the naughty step does wonders people that cant be botherd hit them and it does nuthink
calling tha child by their full name, usually gets pretty intimidating to them cause than they know their in trouble. & jus having a stern voice with them only yelling when necessary. as for physical discipline i would only tap them on tha bum but not hard tho & and tappig their hands. than its not slapping them, its jus tapping & to a child it hurts.
If its siblings fighting I put them both in time out facing each other and they have to talk about the problem and I'll go back and ask the youngest first and then the oldest. If it's a problem with a single child toys taken away usually helps or no TV til earned.
I agree with sweetvegetable^^...it depends.
Also every child is different, so what works well for one might give no results with another.
The method should fit the crime, not as retaliation, but as a natural consequence, if possible. For example, toys taken away if they're being thrown, or cleaning up after themselves (when older) if they've made a mess. Even a baby that bites you while breastfeeding will respond well to a light flick on the cheek (closely associated with the mouth, and with two babies breastfeeding longer than a year each, I've been bitten less than I could count on one hand). I view spanking as acceptable, but only in certain circumstances (never when you are angry, always in private to protect the child's dignity, not used when some other form of discipline would suit the need). In short, no one form of discipline is perfect for every situation.