Did your parents ever slap you as a kid? The American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that the practice of spanking children as a form of discipline is both harmful and unproductive. However, some parents continue to stand by it.

One of those parents is Kelly Clarkson, who recently defended her choice in a radio interview.

Kelly admitted that she “is not above spanking” as a form of discipline and that she had two children, River Rose, 8, and Remy, 6.She clarified, “I don’t mean hitting her hard.”I only intend to spank you lightly. She didn’t find anything wrong with it growing up because it was a part of her upbringing.

“My parents spanked me, I did fine in life and I feel fine about it.” Kelly, who grew up in Texas, said. “I’m from the South, y’all, so we get spankings. My mom would call the principal if I ever ended up in the principal’s office and give permission for her to spank me…I’m a well-rounded individual with a lot of character, so I think it’s fine.”

In addition to being a talented singer, songwriter, author, and TV personality, Clarkson was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The American Idol contestant acknowledged that her approach to parenting is divisive and that it is challenging for her to reprimand her kids in public.

“That’s a tricky thing, when you’re out in public, because then people are like–they think that’s wrong or something, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking,” she said. “I do believe in spanking, so you might catch me spanking my child at the zoo.”

But she also lets her kids know in advance.

“I’m like, ‘Hi, I’m going to spank you on your bottom if you don’t stop right now, this is ridiculous,’ and honestly it’s really helped. She doesn’t do that kind of stuff as often.”

Do you agree with Kelly Clarkson’s approach to child discipline? Or do you believe that parents should be free to discipline their children however they see fit?