I was really naughty, so it is cane, broom, plastic hose, plastic/wooden ruler, etc. My mum is the the judge and executioner as she believe it will be too late to wait for my father to come home. Judgement and punishment is on the spot. However when I reached 13, on my birthday she told me that she is not going to do that anymore as I am too old already and told me that it won't be her anymore but it will be from other people.
That actually taught me to be more responsible.
Anyway she never hit me more than 3 times, never slap face (always on the thigh only), never use belt (as she is afraid that she use the wrong side - the one with the buckle) and she put medication after that cos my got thin skin (got red really fast when beaten, bleed really fast when scratched).
The reason is never because of schooling as my mark is always good, it is more due to mischiefs.
However even like that strangely I am still closer to her than my father. I never hate her because I know I got punished because I am wrong. And if I am good, she bake cookies and cakes for me.