"Thanks to everyone that took the time to write in with words of encouragement and concern for Jessica. I have since passed these comments onto Jess's management and she has been overwhelmed with the abundance of support flooding in from all over the world.

Lately there has been plenty of discussion about the best way to discipline children. Of course I can't comment from a parent's point of view, but coming from a person that suffered the wrath of my father when I had clearly misbehaved was an experience that shaped the adult I am today.

To claim that yelling is as bad as smacking seems quite extreme to me.

In my youth, my dad only reached for his belt as a last resort.

Through being disciplined I quickly learned where my boundaries were. The pain I felt after being hit was intensified by the disappointment I harboured, knowing that I had let my dad down and made him angry enough to have to resort to such punishment.

Of course there are many ways to keep children under control but some are more effective than others. Professor Matt Sanders states that 70% of kids that are yelled at are 3 times as likely to create behavioural problems. Would the statistics remain the same if they were disciplined the way we were in the 70's?

Parents are now told to give clearer instructions, use a calm and controlled voice and give descriptive praise, all while maintaining a commitment to controlled emotion.

Is this really the most effective way to keep kids under control, establish boundaries and teach them respect?"