SJS –
Let me make sure I understood you correctly;
You have (or at one point did have) kids that are between ages 2 and 7 and NEVER hit them? Not ever? Or are you saying that you feel its wrong, but when necessary, you will do so? (with restraint, and only when absolutly necessary, of course)
p.s. – I was talking about dishwashing liquid soap (not Easy Off, or St. Moritz). And no, I’m not scarred from my abusive childhood. Mostly because for every act of disipline, I was showered with 100x worth of acts of care and affection. In a much larger scope, Hashem finds it necessary to disipline us from time to time. Yet we still love Him with all our heart ans soul. Why? Because deep down, we know he loves us, because He proves it day after day, thru acts of kindness. PLus, (if we’re being honest with ourselfes) we know that the disipline was justified.
As long as the ratio (frequency and intensity)of love to discipline is 99.5% to .5%, it will not be a problem. I can’t predict the future, but past experience has shown this to be an effective way to raise kids.