First, I am 19 so wayyyy far from becoming a parent.
Second, as someone who was raised without any physical punishment , I am against beating your child.
But when you suggest to take legal action or involve child protective services you are planting a thought in OPs mind that his/her mother is trying to harm him/her.
How do you know OP got beaten and not slip on concrete while chasing a football and was just trying to sound edgy. How do you know that OP was not punished for taking interest in a drug which could be infinite times more harmful if he gets addict to it.