I also try to teach my children to be careful with books but beating a child surely cannot be the the right way. If we adults strike children for them treating possessions badly, are we then not saying that they are less worthy of good treatment than possessions? That would be deeply humiliating to me.
And I highly doubt that, in general, 'whacking' children will make them grow up kinder more compassionate adults.
It was a different time and age, which is why I'll excuse her. Today, I would go full retard even on my own parents if they did that with my children (and rightly so).
For those of us with family members with intellectual disabilities who, when we were young, used that phrase as the phrase of record rather than as an insult... it's just a bummer to see used. Maybe try some empathy
And I highly doubt that, in general, 'whacking' children will make them grow up kinder more compassionate adults.