I never, ever, hit my dogs, either, and every last one of them has turned out just fine, including several very fearful and very unruly adult rescues. Sorry, but I just don't believe it's necessary to smack a child (or an animal). The situation shouldn't be allowed to get to the point where an adult feels it's necessary to do that to get a kid's attention. Some kids are more difficult than others, but reacting in kind solves nothing long-term.