I am having a difficult time thinking that God intends us to beat our children with a rod. The Hebrew word is shebet , and it means a stick or branch of a tree. To chasten, or discipline, our children when they are disobedient is a principle taught in the Word of God. This is because we are all born with sinful natures.
Correction is brought about by the inflicting of pain of some kind.
Now we can often bring children into line by inflicting pain, without it being physical, such as withholding certain privileges for a time. Now, a spanking can be administered without being brutal or abusive. It must not be done in anger or irritation. It must be administered wisely and prayerfully. I have known some parents to stop and tell the child why the spanking is being given, before it is actually performed.