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Melissa Ferrell is in a heck of a lot of trouble.

If nothing else, after spanking her child in public - enough to prompt 8 or 9 witnesses to speak to police - has brought her a lot of national attention that she probably didn't want.

She is a Northern Idaho young mother who has been cited for spanking her toddler in public. Witnesses say that she was extremely harsh.

When she later demonstrated (and probably downplayed) what she did for cameras, she was again questioned for her manhandling of the child - and later apologized on camera.

Charges are pending, but prosecutors said they would drop the charges if she took a parenting class.

From Digital Journal:
"Capt. Ron Clark says some of the witnesses describe Farrell as having slammed "her on the ground and smothering her as she was holding her" and in this report unlike the other, it claims the police Captain states that the officer who cited Farrell "reported no visible signs of injury to the child."

Here's a YouTube.com vid about it

Original News Report Video

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave (admin),

Here's something additional that I received from our health reporter:

Parents Given Nine Peaceful Alternatives to Corporal Punishment

Gainesville, Florida - July 28, 2008 - Woman ticketed for spanking her child in public creates a national controversy (see youtube vid).

Many parents spank out of frustration because they don't know what else to do. What can parents do other than spank?

The International Network for Children and Families provides practical and easy to implement tools for parents who want alternatives.

Kathryn Kvols, local author of "Redirecting Children's Behavior," a book and parenting course offers parents peaceful, effective alternatives in her article, "Nine Things to do Instead of Spank" .

Kvols is also the president of the International Network for Children and Families. She may be contacted at 352 375-6498 or visit her web site for more information - www.incaf.com.

Nice site Dave, thanks for sharing.

A long time ago, even before my toddler came into the picture, I recall being in line to check out with a friend of mine at a store – perhaps it was KMart. We were behind a woman with a three-year-old, and the child was begging for a doll or something along those lines. The mother just snapped, without thinking she almost yelled at her daughter, “No! You don’t deserve it! You won’t ever deserve it!” My friend who came from an abusive foster home background, nearly physically froze in sympathy and shock. So I asked the woman, “Sorry, but do you realize what you just told your daughter? How would you feel if someone told YOU that you would never deserve anything?” She was obviously annoyed with me (like I could cared), but not only was my friend grateful, even the cashier was thankful I had the guts to speak up. It is a mean world but we do not have to be mean to each other, especially our children.

I can't even watch the video. We do not spank. It is very uncomfortable to watch other people do it in public, too -- just the other day a toddler was just being a toddler so a parent yanked them up by the hand holding them up by just the hand off the ground and just started hitting.
Oh -- and there are some really great books out there w/ alternatives to spanking. Some include How to talk so your kid will listen and listen so your kid will talk and Kids are worth it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Elizabeth Guth,