Every parent needs a few good solid threats that are clearly impractical. Mine, for many years, was "I'm going to turn you into a newt!" until one day my son looked up and me gleefully and said "You CAN'T!" After that it was "wrap you up in duct tape and leave you out for the dinosaurs." Which led to some entertaining conversations over the years.

This sort of thing lets off steam.

Gosh, not only were mine abused but so was I! Shock horror!