In reply to Brian Jeffries, I am interested to know how a "good slap" would teach a child who is "in charge" and how to "respect" someone.

Is this not teaching the "spoilt brats" that a good slap is what to do if they don't like what someone else is doing?

I dare say you, Mr Jeffries, were born a perfect brat and never threw a tantrum (apart from now, that is).

I am one of these "lazy" mothers with three extremely "lazy" children who does the school trip by car almost every day. So what? I pay my own road tax and insurance so why should I not? I suggest you walk if you don't like it.

Children are people (not brats) in their own right. I should imagine if you want to see children in their "right place" (a cupboard under the stairs, perhaps?) you also expect a wife to walk ten paces behind her husband.

Dirty looks and snide comments from small-minded bigots make a parent's task of dealing with tantrums in public even more difficult and every single child (yes, even you) has had one at some time or another. So, Mr Jeffries, deal with it.

Pity the child that ever has you as a father and, if parking in mother-and-toddler bays makes you feel better, I suggest you get a life and stay a "silent majority".

-Mrs Paula Elvin, Brighton