However, all of them attributed their success to the discipline of their student days when teachers were equipped with the cane and English was spoken and written just the way it should be.

As far as I am concerned, a split second of smacking followed by a stern explanation on why the child was smacked is more effective than time out.

The time spent alone in time-out is much longer and more agonising to a small child than a little smack.
I know for sure that if I let a small child out of sight, he is not going to remember what he was punished for. He will probably be thinking about some imaginary cartoon characters or superheroes instead of pondering what he did wrong.

However, for my older sons who are pre-teens, I will ask them to go and contemplate their misbehaviour.
I have always reminded my older boys never to hit anyone in a moment of anger. Boys being boys, they have their share of squabbling, jabbing, and annoying each other beyond words, and I let them fight it out within certain limits.

My eldest son who is 13 is allowed to discipline his younger siblings should they be rude to him. However, they know they will be punished should anyone hit the other. As we live in an apartment, almost everything is within earshot, so it is easy for me to judge who is in the wrong.

My husband and I do not believe in bribing our children. They were brought up with all the creature comforts of a modern family. We make it clear to our children that they can have all the toys and games they wish as long as we can afford them and they make use of their time wisely. I do not believe in giving cash rewards or special gifts to my boys for studying hard.

I have seen all too often how distressed my sons’ school friends were upon getting their examination results because they had failed to earn that dream holiday or electronic game that they had bargained for.