Rainbowzz
How in the world do you discipline a 15 month old?

I don't like to spank/hand slap, but will do it if it is extreme situation - like if he reaches for the stove or runs into the road he will get a spank - just one, enough to scare. But i dont want to use that for every small thing as that doesnt feel right to me.
I know spanking & hand slapping sucks...any parent shouldn't WANT to do it. But don't feel bad for these instances. At that age you can't reason in most situations as to why it isn't good, whatever "it" happens to be. So teaching them to have a little fear over a bad behaviour or situation isn't bad...I would offer this nugget...when you are in a position to feel that spanking is required...DO NOT smack him on the butt. Without meaning to it can hurt there spine. Even if it doesn't seem hard, spinal injuries can stick with ya for life.The safest spot is on the thigh just below the but...it's meaty & avoids the spine...

1. I would first go for re-direction & hopefully he will get distracted by something shiny...
2. Maybe try ignoring the act if it's not harmful so you don't unintentionally reenforce it by giving the act attention...
3. Taking something away that he likes that he will connect to the behaviour...
4. Yelling...the one thing all kids are scared of immediately from birth is loud noises. So it can startle enough to stop the behaviour. you don't want to over use yelling though because they can get quickly desensitized to it.
5. spanking

I feel if spanking is used in the proper context & is not over used but is used stern enough to leave an impression you will probably never need to do it again after the age of 6.
It's not much different than training a puppy. If you let a puppy run loose from birth, they know no boundaries. But if you immediately put them on a leash when they are young. After a few months the leash is no longer needed because the puppy has been programmed to not go beyond the length of the leash...
I don't know if the analogy makes sense...& I know this is a subject that will provide a whole host of view points...I know every child is different & unfortunately they don't come with a manuel...

I hope something I said helps...

LK