“Parents must be very careful not to reprimand their children in the evening, because, at that time, when the children have nothing to distract them from their troubles, the darkness of the night will make their troubles darker still. They start thinking of ways to react..As much as they can, parents should refrain from beating their children. Through kindness and patience, they should try to help the children understand that what they’re doing is wrong. Only when children are very young and don’t understand that what they’re trying to do is dangerous, then it may help to give a little slap that will make them avoid whatever it is they are doing the next time. The fear of getting another slap serves as a brake, for protection.”
– Elder St. Paisios in ‘Family Life’