It’s one of those topics that still makes parents squirm. You might see it joked about online, hear friends say “just a little tap,” or even feel that split-second urge when tempers flare…but slapping a child is never the answer. In this episode, we dig into why hitting..even lightly..can damage trust, model aggression, and escalate rather than solve conflicts. We talk about the impact on children’s emotional development, how it affects the parent-child relationship, and practical alternatives for managing frustration, enforcing boundaries, and teaching respect. This isn’t about shaming parents.. it’s about giving tools to stay F.I.R.M. calm, consistent, and loving, even when parenting gets really hard.We’re thrilled to welcome MimiToys as the newest sponsor of our podcast! 🎉MimiToys offers an incredible range of developmental toys and puppets, crafted with over 20 years of passion for play and children’s well-being. You can explore her collection here and use our code JUSTUS10 at checkout to get a discount on your order. (One use per customer, so make sure you get everything you want in a single order!) Offer valid until January 31st, 2026.Even more, when you sign up for MimiToys’ newsletter, you’ll get a free activity booklet featuring fun activities in French, Irish, Spanish, and English.Check it out…you and your little ones are going to love it!Don’t forget to subscribe, give us a rating & recommend to a friend. Email us any comments or queries on
[email protected] if you would like support & connection as a parent - join our amazing parent space herehttps://hdcircle.framer.website/Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley hereHayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below.https://debbiecullinane.ie/https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.