Dear Abby - Is this for real?

For any of you with small children in the home, this letter to "Abby" is absolutely hilarious as well as disturbing. It is no wonder that our society is having problems dealing with children and violence. Read on.

DEAR ABBY: I have a 4-year-old who tends to act up from time to time. I have tried "time-outs" and even soft spanking and have taken his privileges away. Nothing seems to work. However, I have found that smashing one of his small toys with a hammer works well. Do you see any danger in this form of punishment? -- YOUNG MOM IN OKLAHOMA

OK, dry your eyes, quit laughing, and stop saying, "Do I see a DANGER?!" It is sad that she had to write a columnist to get an answer to this question. While I often have a problem with Abby's liberal viewpoint, she is right on this time.

DEAR YOUNG MOM: I certainly do. Smashing a child's toy with a hammer carries the same message that an abusive husband delivers when he smashes his fist through a wall. It implies, "You're next!" If you continue punishing your child in this way, he could begin modeling his behavior after yours and destroy other people's property -- including yours -- when he's angry.

Take the toy away if that's the only way to get through to your son. Tell him that it will be given to a child who has no toys to play with. But do not destroy the toy in front of your child.