Childproofing your house can prevent a great deal of frustration for both parent and child. For small children, place valuable objects out of reach. Make sure that older children know which items are off limits to them without parental supervision. Telling your child in advance what is expected of him and what the rules are also helps to prevent trouble before it happens. Be prepared to repeat the rules several times before your child learns them.
Punishment is most effective when it is directly related to the child's misbehavior.
Your child will learn by experiencing the logical consequences of his actions. This will also help your child learn to consider the consequences before he breaks the rules. Don't say you will do something unless you are prepared to carry it through. When you give in to a nagging or crying child, the child will know he can use this tactic to get his own way. Discuss disciplinary methods with your spouse, babysitter and other child care givers ahead of time.