If they simply leave out the spanking part, it will be even more effective. One common spanking situation is when children run out in the street. Straus suggests leaving out the swat after bringing them back to the sidewalk because children will understand the parents' horror and anxiety and that they did something wrong. It's just as effective to do things that don't include spanking. In the long run, it is much more effective to not spank.
Every time there's a spanking, it chips away at the bond between parent and child.
When the child gets to be older, gets to be an adolescent, that bond is what parents depend on. He said when children feel connected to their parents, they want to do the right thing, but physical punishment interferes with that. Instead of hitting, Straus suggests explaining why not to behave a certain way, showing disappointment in the behavior and expressing concern. Parents should teach children what is acceptable to do. Depriving the child of privileges and grounding are other alternatives.