Get...........The..........Belt!
Few of you might remember those terrifying words! Today the kid would call Child Protective Services if they heard that. When I was growing up, I heard that ALOT. I was "active" and frequently in need of "a change of attitude." When my Mom would threaten that Dad would punish me when he came home...or Dad would threaten with those terrifying words "Get the belt", I felt cold, deep fear! As alot of you will remember, my Dad was on crutches so those words brought out that instinct to flee....usually right up the stairs and into a locked bedroom. I may have faulty memory but I don't remember an actual spanking with a belt. The words alone changed behavior.
Today, when I say those words, it is because my Mom has been weakening enough so that even she knows we need a gait belt. A soft, padded support that helps me when her knees are buckling, or she is too weak to make the transition from recliner to wheelchair. It felt odd when I had to call out to my husband to "Get the belt". It is a weird case of "Turnabout". One to change behavior, the other a result of changed behavior.
And so another moment of role reversal with varied outcomes. In my dads final days we needed to clean his bottom for him and he would apologize until I reminded him that he had done it for me for years, I could manage it for a while in return. He would smile that knowing smile, that all his words and actions had taught me duty, honor and how to return a favor!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fabulous blog; you are so darn good at this!! Interesting, I forgot the belt until you wrote this! Was I such a "good girl" I never stepped over the line? Wow, that is a scary thought!! I do remember running up the stairs on Dellwood often though! Love You Sis
ReplyDeletewho are all these anonymous people posting????
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm at a meeting with all the anonymous... lol, what other better place... to open the doors and let the truth out.. than a blog... seems we use the tools we acquire... and move on with them... including changing the meaning of "the belt" to something with gentler connotation love Anonymous Constance
ReplyDeleteIn many states in the Union, parental paddling/switch ect is not even a matter of law, and principals still get the paddle out, as well.
ReplyDeleteSure, it's barbarous. Obviously it must be barbarous, since folks did it for thousands of years until we got really smart and started raising our kids to grow up and do Columbine.
Having a degree in science, and also having studied a bit of psychology, I'm pretty much sure that "science" and "psychology" have little to do with each other. I reference the last two lines of the chorus of "Sunshine" by John Edwards.