I was once given a bunch of pamphlets from a client. She said that her "social worker" friend suggested that they might help me as her child was becoming a problem. Not listening, pushing, throwing etc. One of the pamphlets was on "why spanking doesn't work" LOL I laughed it off. That was one more thing that landed that client out the door in my opinion.

Having your child in someone elses home requires a lot of trust and some blind faith. If a client can't trust me, but accuses me instead (under her breath or directly to me) then they are not a good fit for me.

I would do the same as mimi. I would tell the client firmly "spank is NOT a word we use in my home" And leave it at that. If it continues then I'd look at termination. I don't like to work under a micro scope.