I always knew my parents were cruel.
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My mum hit me with a wooden spoon and sometimes even a strap.
My dad, well, he would leave me in the car outside a hotel while he went inside for a beer.
Worse still, he would come out with a lemon squash and a bag of chips just to keep me happy.
Talk about adding to the child obesity problem.
It's a pity mobile phones weren't invented then because I could have rung the Department of Community Services (DOCS) myself and told them of my suffering.
Here I was a mere child - bashed, abandoned and fed junk food.
Again, when I went to school I would cop it again - the dreaded strap.
Look, I know DOCS have a job to do but sometimes many of their actions are now bordering on the ridiculous.
And to be fair it's not just DOCS.
A policeman in the state's central west has landed himself in trouble for smacking his child after he threw a tantrum in a bakery.
The seven-year-old wanted a donut, the policeman said he couldn't have it and the next thing you know all hell broke loose.
The officer is now facing a charge of common assault and four days have been set aside for his court hearing.
Four days for the court hearing and all this man did was discipline his son.
Has the world gone well and truly mad?
Now, admittedly, there are some disputed facts in this case and it would appear it's all about the amount of force used.
It's alleged after smacking his son he dragged him out of the shop and dumped him unceremoniously in the family car.
Witnesses say the child was crying and red in the face.
Well let me tell you this all brings back some sad memories.
I well remember the same thing happening to me.
Smacked, dragged down the street and thrown into the car.
And did I deserve it? Absolutely.
Yes, the days of thrashings are over and there's nothing wrong with that, but for a policeman to have his career ruined and face a four-day court hearing, that does on face value at least seem well over the top.
I loved my parents and even as a child I would have died a thousand deaths if they ended up in court for something I had done.
Disciplining a child today is such a grey area, as this officer has just found out.
It's alleged his behaviour didn't constitute lawful correction of a child.
All I can say is I'm so glad my dear old mum and dad aren't alive today otherwise I'd be visiting them in Long Bay.
No, parents don't have the right to unleash all their frustrations by bashing a child senseless, but surely they have a right to correct misbehaviour as my parents, quite rightly, did.
The outcome of this court hearing should be very interesting to say the least.