I was in my first year at primary school. I noticed that there was a blue teddy in the toy box in the classroom which was the same as a pink one I had at home. I told my friend about this and she dared me to steal it so that I had a matching pair. I said ‘no’ but she said that she wouldn’t be my friend if I didn’t. So I put it in my school bag, but planned to get rid of it so I didn’t get into trouble.

When I got home, my mum opened my school bag and found the toy. I told her where it was from. I began to plead: “I’m sorry, Mummy – really sorry”, all the while flinching, expecting slaps to my legs. But they didn’t come. Instead, my mum grabbed hold of my arm and dragged me into the living room. She sat on the sofa and I realised what was going to happen.

A few times before this, I had watched in horror as my older brother had been laid across Mum’s knee to have his bottom smacked.

It would make me feel nervous watching my mothers smacking hand rein down on his bottom. However I never thought it would happen to me – I thought I just got slapped legs.

Slapped legs were bad enough – they hurt a lot and left embarrassing marks which people could see and know you had been a naughty girl. But being put over Mummy’s knee was a whole new level of discipline for me.

“Please, no Mummy!” I continued to wail. I only stopped pleading when I noticed that my brother had rushed into the room to watch my impending punishment – he had evidently heard me begging and knew what was about to happen. He looked so happy, like he couldn’t wait to watch.