Britney Spears Judge - Gone Too Far?

I never thought I'd find myself in a position where I could appear to be defending Britney Spears or Kevin Feder-whatever. However, a court commissioner in Spears custody dispute has, in my opinion, overstepped his bounds. Courts, it seems, are now in the business of deciding what philosophy of child rearing parents must adopt.

Granted, in Britney's case, she really needs a few pointers. In fact, she needs a full-blown intervention. Still, I think the Court stepped over the line. It could have ordered her back into rehab, therapy, or taken a dozen other actions. Instead, the judge prohibited Britney or Kevin from ever spanking their children.

Each must also complete the court's "Parenting Without Conflict" class. The educational program, set in a group format and comprised of six sessions, helps parents learn the benefits of cooperative parenting, conflict resolution and problem solving.

Wow. Cooperative parenting? Parenting without conflict? Maybe when these kids grow up with their own substance abuse problems because their parents were prohibited from ever really disciplining them, they'll sue the Court.

A court's place is to protect children, not decide what parenting philosophy is best. An old saying, found originally in the Bible, warns, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." A little smack on the bum now and again has done many a child good, myself included.

And for all those who equate a smack on the butt with child abuse, get real.