In re Rodney C.

Both cases come before the court on petitions filed by the children’s protective unit of the Onondaga County Department of Social Services. In Rodney *678C., the petition was brought against the mother alleging abuse. In the M. children, a neglect petition was brought against the mother. The cases present to the court the recurring problem of evaluating parental discipline. Specifically, the cases demonstrate the difficulty encountered in determining what is reasonable corporal punishment and the difficulty in weighing the many factors that must be considered in establishing the point at which…