LisaAC, I know what you mean. I think that was part of the reason that I dug in my heels so long with putting my daughter on the Concerta. I didn't want to be labeled as "one of
those parents".
My DH and I are committed to disciplining our daughters, but not in a physical way (not that we're above a well-placed swat on the backside when it's required). We use something called, "1, 2, 3 Magic" and have since they were about 3 and 4. It works very well most of the time. So well, that a few years ago when we were at a church camp that we attend every summer and they were misbehaving across the cafeteria (with one eye on mom, of course), instead of screaming across the cafeteria like a fishwife all I had to do is raise my hand with 1 finger held up, then 2 and like magic, they stopped. One of the moms saw what happened and approached me asking, "how did you
do that??". I just laughed and said, "they know very well what would have happened had I gotten to 3."
Usually it's a time out or removal of some privilege, but we also try to make the punishment fit the crime. For example, I caught my youngest daughter riding her bike in the middle of the street. She lost her "bike privileges" for the rest of the weekend.
I know what you mean about parents who just want to use medication in place of supervision and discipline...I have a neighbor like that as well. She has 4 children with another on the way this summer and doesn't supervise any of them. She was asking me about what I had to do to get my daughter on Concerta because she wants her oldest on it, because "I can't do anything with this child!". I wanted to say, "Lady...if you actually spent some time with her, you might find her easier to work with." but just suggested that she talk to her pediatrician instead.