First of all you are a normal mommy....we all get mean sometimes. Not that we want to be that way, we are only human.

The last post was great advice...and kids respond so well to positive encouragement and praise. However they are always going to misbehave and act up at some time or another (they are kids and that’s there job )
I have a ten year old and I am just making the connection with my behavior and hers....when I’m mean and yelling and fussing, and frowning, it became the norm and she didn’t think twice about doing it too...( I have even thrown things in the mist of my tantrums ..Im not proud of that behavior and I work daily to change it....I found out that my daughter was afraid of my reaction to things ....Now that I have mellowed out (I purposely think about it when ever I react) she has mellowed out as well.
Another hint would be to not take your children’s misbehavior personal...they aren’t doing it "to us"...they are just doing it. And we just happen to be there to witness and feel like the recipients all the time....no kid likes being miserable or unhappy, it’s up to us to teach them that those feeling come to pass and they don’t need to ruin any ones day!

Both the previous posts were awesome advice. I have a four year old, who, if he doesn't get his way at times, goes into a spiral, screaming, yelling, kicking, once even throwing his toys. I take him firmly, to his room, set him on his bed,and tell him that I don't want to talk to someone who is screaming at me, and when he calms down, I'll talk to him. Also, we have to establish that we're the boss, not the friend. I wouldn't encourage screaming and throwing things, but firm voices also help get the point across. I have a four year old, with two year old twins, and trust me, I feel like screaming most the time. When it gets very bad, I tell my son that Mommy needs some time to herself right now, and could he please find something quiet to do, ie, read a book, coloring, etc. Sometimes it even helps if you physically sit down with your child, and read with him. It encourages loving feelings, and helps the child to understand that you still love him, and aren't pushing him away.