Be patient with our children

Concerning “Doctors’ group finds no benefit in spanking” (Page One, Nov. 6): While I agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics about the harmful effects of parents spanking their children, sometimes the use of physical restraint is necessary.

When my twin teenaged daughters were much younger, I had to sharply pull both girls back onto a sidewalk to prevent them from running into oncoming traffic. Other times, force was necessary to stop them from playing with sharp or dangerous objects.

In neither instance did I spank my children, but I did momentarily yell due to both fear and anger. We try to teach our kids right from wrong, but it takes time for them to develop judgment. Parents may sometimes need to use force to keep their children from harm, but repeated spanking merely makes kids feel intimidated and resentful. My advice is to be patient and to communicate as much as possible. Jenny Wong, Daly City

Keep up the hope, and vote

Regarding “Our civic duty” (Editorial, Nov. 6): As a college freshman and first-time voter, I was excited to cast my ballot on election day. I firmly reject the negative messages and scare tactics that our president used to get his supporters to the polls, and have decided to remain optimistic about our nation’s future.

The next generation of leaders is coming, and many of them are much more open-minded and reflective of our country’s diverse population. Perhaps the last two years can be compared to the Greek myth of Pandora, where the 2016 election results were like opening a box that unleashed many evils upon us. But don’t forget the one thing that remains in that box: hope.

Elizabeth Somerville, San Francisco

Thanks for endorsements

Thanks so much for the voting endorsements. I found the recommendations to be succinct and balanced. These San Francisco and California propositions are always a lot more complex than they seem, and the day before voting, I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to do research and feel good about my choices. While I don’t agree with all of the endorsements, the summary was enough for me to know where I needed to dig in and gather more detail.

I’m impressed with the team that put this short and readable yet insightful summary together; and appreciative enough to write a quick note of thanks and pony up the subscription fee to The Chronicle — something I haven’t done in years.

Andrea Sim, San Francisco

Bitcoin struggles of the rich

According to “Bitcoin’s ‘first felon’ in more trouble” (Business, Nov. 6), the already-rich Winklevoss twins (of Facebook fame) are engaged in litigation with bitcoin investor/former felon Charlie Shrem over his recent acquisition of Maseratis and powerboats.

Meanwhile, those of us who don’t know much about cryptocurrencies and struggle to earn dollar bills and pay car loans can only shake our heads and ask: Why are the problems of the rich and famous (and of formerly rich and famous ex-cons) even newsworthy? Karl Gustaffson, Half Moon Bay