Why it happens: Yes, your child can hear you; he's just not
listening. In fact, by pointedly ignoring your orders, he's
accomplishing two of his most important goals: testing your
authority and asserting his independence. What you should know:
The battle for self-determination lasts throughout childhood
(and often well beyond), so chances are your child will be
pushing your buttons for, say, a decade or two. But there are
ways to encourage compliance in the meantime. What to do about
it: - Focus on the positive. Talk to your toddler about what you
expect him to do ("Please stay on the sidewalk") rather than
what's forbidden ("Don't stomp in the mud"). This will make off-
limits activities (a little) less tempting. - Say "no" like you
mean it. It's all too easy to laugh at a toddler's rascally
antics, but if he thinks you don't take your rules seriously,
neither will he. - Be consistent about consequences. Back up
your rules with definitive action should they be broken. If you
tell your tot to stay out of your