<H4> How did you do </H4>

Issue # 1: He won't stay in bed
Answer: B At this age, kids love to cause drama and test your will, so the steady, dull return to bed is the best way to show your resolve, says Donna Rogan, M.D., pediatrician and mom of three in Pleasantville, New York. (You can certainly make exceptions if your child has a nightmare, is sick, or you're traveling.)
When Dr. Rogan's son Colin was 2, he'd come into her bed nearly every night, and she and her husband were chronically exhausted from the interruption. Finally they decided to bite the bullet and return him to his own bed each time.
"Consistency is key," says Dr. Rogan. "If you let him stay with you just once and engage you in conversation or turn on the TV, you've lost it. Once Colin realized after about two weeks that the light wasn't going to go on and he wasn't going to be able to hang out with us, he decided to stay in his own bed." Getting up and returning your child to his bed several times a night might be exhausting, but it'll pay off with a good night's sleep down the road.

Issue # 2: She threatens a public tantrum
Answer: C Show that when you make a decision, you intend to stand firm, says Kathryn Kvols, president of the International Network for Children and Families, in Gainesville, Florida, an educational group that offers parenting courses.
If your child senses even the slightest hesitation, she'll press the issue, so keep your response as brief as possible. If she starts to get louder and more upset, give her a choice: either calm down or leave the store. And be ready to take her out of there right away.
To lessen "buy me this" whines from the start: Before entering the store, tell your child what you're willing to buy (or not). You might say that she has a dollar  -- and only a dollar  -- to spend any way she wants.
When my daughter, Madeline, was 5, we visited a few museums in New York City, each of which had a tempting gift shop. I told her at the beginning of the trip that she had $10 to spend as she wished, and to my surprise, she hoarded it right until the end. She wound up buying a few bracelets and never once nagged for more money.

Issue # 3: He won't clean his room
Answer: B If you want something done, express your request clearly so your child understands exactly what to do, where to start, and how he'll know when he's finished. Robynn Meehan, a mom of four kids, ages 5 to 11, in Stillwater, New Jersey, says she doesn't just tell 5-year-old Maura to "clean your room." "That's just too daunting a task," she says. "Instead, I say, 'Please clean that corner. Pick up the Polly Pockets and put them in the bin, and pick up the books and put them on the shelf.'"
Don't forget to praise your child for a job well done. You might even put stars or stickers on a wall chart for a bang-up cleaning job.

Issue # 4: She won't stop watching TV
Answer: A or B Sticking to what you originally said is fine, but if your child's been behaving, being flexible about the length of the ban is okay, too. Explain that you spoke out of anger and that you're willing to give her a second chance. A smart tip: Before shouting out a punishment when you're heated up, delay telling your child how you'll discipline her. After you cool down, assess the situation and make sure "the punishment fits the crime" before telling your child she's off TV for life.
The best way to avoid having to discipline to begin with is to have rules in place from the start, so your child knows what's expected of her. When Atlanta mom Stephanie Nelson's sons were 5 and 7, she came up with a rule to avoid the constant TV conflicts: no TV at all during the week. On weekends, the boys are permitted to watch a few hours per day. "Now that they can't fall back on it, they find other ways to entertain themselves," she says. "In the summer, we relax the rules, but they're so busy playing outside that they still don't watch much."

Issue # 5: He won't buckle up
Answer: A This one's a no-brainer. Your child should get the clear message that being in a car seat is a safety requirement, not a game, and that it's nonnegotiable. Don't reward him for getting into the car seat, but it can help to offer choices: "Would you like to buckle the seat yourself, or would you like me to?"
A trick that works for Kathryn Kvols: When her 5-year-old hated to put on his seat belt, she made him the "boss of the seat belts" and wouldn't start the car until he made sure everyone was buckled in. He felt good about being in charge, so he didn't mind putting on his own belt.

Issue # 6: She hits another child
Answer: C Although it's a good idea to have your child apologize to her playmate and then remove her from the playground if she gets more upset, the first thing you should do is take her hand, make eye contact, and tell her "No hitting!" If she calms down and plays nicely from then on, be sure to offer words of praise.

Issue # 7: He doesn't want to go home
Answer: A When you ask your child a question, you're giving him control. Instead, say specifically what you want. If possible, give a five-minute warning, and stick to it so he starts to get a sense of how long five minutes is. If he balks, explain in a non-angry tone what the consequences will be if he refuses to comply. You might say, "The five minutes are up, so it's time to leave. If you won't walk to the car, I'll have to carry you." To make it fun, say, "Let's bunny hop to the car." Or suggest that he be a sack of potatoes and you'll carry him over your shoulder. Never threaten to leave him if he doesn't comply. "Being left behind is one of a child's greatest fears," says Kvols.

Issue # 8: She interrupts your conversations
Answer: C Kids ages 3 and up have enough patience to wait for a minute, and there's hardly ever a real necessity for an interruption. (Okay, maybe an occasional bathroom emergency!) Tell your child to wait her turn before speaking. Be assertive, but don't yell. If she keeps interrupting, simply ignore her. And practice what you preach: When it's her turn to talk, listen to what she says before responding.

How did you do? If you had more wrong answers than right ones, you needn't be too hard on yourself. It's never too late to hone your discipline tactics  -- your child will certainly give you plenty of opportunities!

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