Whew! I think I've finally got everything under control now... kids a bit wild this morning... few spots of rain and now they say it's too wet to got outside! Pah! Kids today! Anyhow I've just fed them... big bowls of steamed rice and last night's leftover curry... they are settled now, rice does that I've allowed them to make a cubby house inside so lets see how much extra work that generates in packing it all away afterwards... nah, I'll remind Verity there are negative consequences if she doesn't. She's lost her computer time today because she was cheeky and laughed at me when she was in trouble yesterday... geeze, nothing makes a parent's blood boil faster than when a child smirks when they are in trouble! I have to remember not to blow my top... so I count to 10 and issue the "consequence".

Amanda: I'm no expert, just know what works from trial and error and teaching colleagues but regarding Lauchlan this might work: First, do you have special toys that you keep aside out of reach for use as reward? Wade has access to only about half of his toys... most of the good stuff he has to "earn" the right to play with. You could tell Lockie that if he stays with you or comes when you call that he can play with something special? For Wade it's jig-saw puzzles, he's obsessed with them, but each child is different... each has their "price" you just have to learn what will get them to "buy" what you want them to do... I can't remember which parenting book discusses the "currency" of children... but it works for us and it's a good one. Verity's currency is screen time (computer/tv/dvds), her GameBoy and her Mp3 player. Food is a less popular choice for some parents but we use it.... our kids never just get a sweet treat, they have to at least been "good" that day. Anyhow, that's just my suggestion... see how it goes, you might have tried it already though.