Long live the one-line threads of Alonzo! I felt compelled to resurrect this lonely thread. My mother never threatened me with anything. When I was bad she had me sit down for half an hour while she read pertinent Bible verses to me. I would beg for a few swats in lieu of the Bible reading. "Mother, you are spoiling me, the Bible says I should be whipped to prevent me from being spoiled." A half-hour of sitting still quietly listening to shaming and damning Bible verses, was cruel and unusual punishment. I am thankful my dad gave me a few swats with his leather rod so I grew up without spoilation.
My step-dad threatened me with the leather belt he wore. From what I remember, he never had to use it on my butt, but that's probably because I always remembered his threat to use it.