often the "yellers" I see don't want to get up and go get the child, or they don't want to stop what they are doing to redirect the child
It does take a lot of consistent effort to raise children...I personally cringe at the words "self esteem" as something that can be given to a person. To me it comes from accomplishing, not being. A person has to do good, be good to feel good.
Much can be
given a child through teaching lovingly, kindly, consistently, firmly, and most of all peacefully.... we are always telling children to use their words to express their frustrations. I think parents need to learn this lesson as well.
is spanking ever okay? well, this is the personal choice and decision of each parent. would I hit my dog in order to teach her a lesson? no. should I do so with my child? for me the answer is no. I would rather teach using words and consequences, consistency and firmness. Its not easy sometimes! and yelling does tend to creep in. but each of us as a parent has to keep learning what works best for individual children and what teaches most effectively.
believe me, before I had children I had opinions on all the child/discipline issues (especially after taking all those child psychology and other courses). actually having a child has taught me that the answers are never so easy. I have come to believe that good parents keep seeking and learning on the job -
good parents are far from perfect... but they do their very best and have similar expectations for their children.