Question: Do you think you should spank a child for every act of disobedience or defiance?
Answer: No. Corporal punishment should be a rather infrequent occurrence. There is an appropriate time for a child to sit on a chair to think about his misbehavior, or he might be deprived of a privilege or sent to his room for a "time-out" or made to work when he had planned to play. In other words, you should vary your response to misbehavior, always hoping to stay one step ahead of the child. Your goal is to react continually in the way that benefits the child and is in accordance with his "crime." In this regard, there is no substitute for wisdom and tact in the parenting role.
Book: The The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide
By Dr. James Dobson