I remember my dad telling a story about my grandpa (his dad) holding on to his shirt collar with one hand and repeatedly hitting him in the face with the other. My dad was probably 13 or 14. It was bad enough that he returned a punch and knocked his dad down. He felt guilty about that for decades afterwards. He probably still does. I don’t know how someone feels guilty for the one time they defended themselves against a father who brutally beat all of his children on a regular basis.

That’s a sad story. I know lots of sad stories. I’ve lived some of them. Long ago, I made it a life goal to write happier ones. When I discipline my kids, which I sometimes have to do, I try to use it as a learning opportunity. Just ask my oldest how many times she’s had to do community service because she made poor choices.

The moral lesson I hope she’s learned from those experiences is that you should contribute positive things to the world instead of negative things but if/when you fail, you’re obligated to rectify that to the best of your ability.

It’s my job to teach my kids how to be good people and I won’t be able to do that if they fear me.

After giving a wrong answer, asshole teacher got my sister in front of the whole class and made fun of her for a couple of minutes. My sister came home this day and told parents she’ll never say a word again. Stupid parents did nothing about.

Same asshole tried the same with me later on, but I was more… resilient.

During a school excursion I talked same asshole into grabbing a active electrical fence. This was really great how she squeaked like the stupid pig she was.

I kind of want to hear your story that made you ask this question