It's our first Mommy Squad letter of 2013. Have any thoughts or advice? Email it to jackie@1003thepeak.com

Hi JTD-

I need help. My son is in terrible 3's and he is really testing me. I have tried all sorts of "punishments" from time out to taking his favorite things away, and nothing seems to get through to him. My husband got fed up and spanked him out of sheer frustration. It wasn't overly hard, but I was still upset that he did it. The problem is that my husband thinks it worked because my son immediatly stopped throwing a fit and stayed in time out. He seemed scared though, and I don't think that's healthy. Spanking seems so caveman, but it did get his attention. Do you have any thoughts on this, or any way's to discipline without having to spank him?