When I was promoted from second to third grade and found out who my teacher would be the next year, I was afraid. Mrs. H. was said to have a red wooden paddle an inch thick.
I never saw that paddle the next year, let alone witnessed its use. Maybe the story I had heard was a case of child mythologizing, or maybe Mrs. H. didn't mind that she had a reputation as a harsh disciplinarian.
I don't know. But here's a paddle I just found in my basement that makes it clear hitting your kids used to be considered a joke-worthy matter:
In case that dusty thing is hard to read, it says:
Grip here firmly in case of frustration [on the handle]How times have changed.
For the cute little deer with the bear behind [on the paddle, accompanied by cartoon paintings of a bear and deer]
3 comments:
if you still have this, i would like to buy it
I'm not sure where it is. I think I just took a photo of it at the time, while clearing out stuff.
My mother had one of these paddles that she kept in the kitchen. When I was a child, I would feel the sting from the paddle on my "bear behind". Then, I would stand in the corner for everyone to see my glowing red butt.
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