Super Hero's Don't Need Naps

I started this blog a few weeks back but have been at a loss for a blog "worth" writing. Well today by happenstance a situation presented itself.

I was in the super market, the third one of the day, on a "fruitless" (haha) search for watermelon. The kids had both had it with the in the car out of the car thing and I had decided that there just must be some huge watermelon shortage that I hadn't previously heard about so it was time to call it quits.
When we arrived at the car, our alternative fruit purchases in hand, little Belle (18 months old and very strong willed) decided that she did not under any circumstances want to get into her car seat.
I was pretty patient with her because she had a rough morning with a cardiologist appointment and lots of prodding so I attempted speaking softly to her and reasoning.
When that didn't work I spoke firmly and told her to "put her hiney in the seat by the time I count three."
She still remained standing staring at me and said "No."
At that point I said her full name and told her to sit down or she would get a swat on the thigh. She started crying and climbing out of her seat squealing "No Seat!"
Finally enough was enough, I swatted her on the thigh, not even hard enough to stun a house fly but apparently it made my point. She stared at me and sat down to be buckled, crying and looking wounded.
I immediately gave her a hug and said
"I'm sorry that you needed a spanking but it's not safe if you aren't in your car seat. I love you very much and that's why I want you to be safe."
That should have been the end of it but
A woman walked up...
"I saw what you did to that Child! I am calling DHS. You can't do that to that little girl!" She pulled out her phone and started to walk away.
I continued getting the kids into the car but I was rattled. What if she does call? What happens then? Am I at risk for an investigation?
The Mommy guilt started to set in hard.
 "Maybe I shouldn't have swatted her. Did this stranger somehow have insight into my child's life that I didn't? Belle was really upset. Maybe I hit her harder than I thought?"
As I got in to my car and drove home it all swirled around in my head.
Even as I gave the kids lunch and got them ready for naps I had a feeling of unease.
My son "Beanie" (three years old) was resisting his nap as usual. When the normal string of excuses were spent he said "But Mom! I'm a super hero, super heros don't need naps!"
I responded "You are a super hero but I'm a super hero's Mommy and I know that if you don't get rest you will be tired and cranky and not able to save anybody so go to sleep."
For some reason that stopped the tumbling thoughts. Wait...I am Belle's Mommy too, I did what needed to be done for the child that I love.
I started thinking, what would my alternatives have been? Had I buckled under the pressure of her cries I would have put her in harms way by driving without her in her car seat. Had I bribed her or coddled her I would have effectively demonstrated to her that disobeying gets you a treat, or at the very least a reprieve from the thing that you don't want to do. Had I stood there fighting with her, will against will for another ten minutes it would have resulted in me yelling, her crying, and most definitely a completely frustrating and futile argument with an 18 month old.
As her parent I am responsible to teach her right from wrong and raise her to eventually be able to make decisions on her own. Until then it is literally my responsibility to make sure she is safe and secure. Part of that is letting her know when she has made the wrong decision. If we as parents are made to bend at the every will of a child who's idea of a balanced diet is fruit snacks and lollipops; whose idea of fair is "If I want it it's mine," what type of future are we creating? We are not creating a generation of individuals who will be decision makers and promote change. Who will stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves and fight injustice with confidence.
Instead we are constructing a generation of lazy, selfish, do what best suits me when it best suits me adults. We are effectively creating useless cranky super hero's who will not be able to help anybody.

I absolutely don't want to be a part of that. I think I'll take my chances with the stranger in the parking lot, take my job as the Mommy seriously, and hopefuly with God and my hubby's help, raise two pretty great, effectual super hero's in the process.