What to do with child who want to break the rules and do the contrary

Please be more specific as to age of child and what behavior they are doing.

This question just reminds me of a time when I was so frustrated with my 4 yr. old daughter. I was young, she was my 2nd. :p I had just HAD it with her!! I asked her "WHAT am I going to do with you, Niki"? Her response... "Just keep me and love me, momma"...

No matter what the age, with the 4 we have, 24, 22, 20, 15... this is the one thing I have learned. They start it young, (being contrary) usually because they need you to be consistent. You can not threaten.. "If you don't stop, I am going to (ground you, put you in time out, do this or do that}"... and not follow through... if this happens, you have created a problem! You HAVE to follow through every time. See, Children are the eternal optimists! The FIRST time they get away with something, they learn that eternal hope... the hoping it MAY happen they can get away with (whatever) again!! So ALWAYS be consistent in following through. If you didn't apply this when they were very young, then its NEVER too late to start, it just takes awhile to get it through their eternally hopeful heads that they can't get by with everything!

Also, each age comes with their own set of typical behaviors, too. Hopefully we can help you!!

And like Niki said... Keep them and love them!! :):)