2. Sit the child down and explain FIRST, then spank. You want him thinking about what he did while you're spanking, which means you've got to make it very clear up front, not after. Nothing wrong with a lecture after to reinforce the point, but explain before spanking please. And, if you do it in that order, then you will never need to worry about taking it too far, because you will have calmed a bit by the time you get the explanation out and get to the actual spanking. No silly Protective Service worker will ever question you if you tell them you're doing it that way (assuming of course you're talking about your own child - I'd never lay hands on someone else's child).

3. As my grandma taught me early on, "Never strike a child upon the face. Nature has provided a better place."