Bribes, rewards; call it what you may, if you are the parent of a toddler or young child, chances are you do it, ummm, daily, if you are anything like me! Listen, we all have to do what we need to in order to get through our action-packed days. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store or simply getting out the door to work and school … bottom line, stuff has to get done! On a positive note, our kids also need to feeeeel (insert whine) like they are in control (even though we like to think we are!) and that they’re doing a good job. Why not grease the (big) wheels, and help cut down on the whining and the bellyaching. Read on to find out a few ironclad ways to set up a system to reward – and encourage – good behavior. So everyone’s happier.

• The Ol’ Standby: Sticker Charts!
Tried and true, sticker charts (aka behavior modification charts) are a staple in many toddler-run households. They are used as positive reinforcement to help change a behavior or – ahem – to bribe. Experts recommend sticking with one behavior at a time – just pick the one that’s really turning your hair gray. For each day the child demonstrates the correct behavior, she receives a sticker that is placed lovingly on the chart. After the week is completed, a reward is given. Voila. Personally, I find this works like a charm with my 3-year-old. A great resource for sticker charts is stickercharts.com where you can find ready to print charts. The work is already done for you. Game, match, point – Mom!

• The Treasure Chest
Many savvy mommies advocate getting the kids involved in the bribe. Donna Dempsey, 35, mother of two, suggests, “Take an old shoe box, have the kids decorate it and fill it with all kinds of little things and call it the treasure chest. When they are well behaved, or you need to bribe them, have them pick an item from it. Works like a charm!” A great place to go for said “little things” is www.orientaltrading.com, an online mega store full of cheap trinkets and toys guaranteed to steer your kid into “good behavior land!”

• Money, Money, Money
As the old saying goes: Cash is King! Kids as young as 3 are well aware of the importance and value of the dollar; just ask any kid the going rate for the tooth fairy. Can you say inflation? Sheesh. No, I’m not saying you have to throw dollar bills at your kids when they “do good.” Get creative people! Teach those kids a thing or two about saving! Katie Calautti, 33, remembers her childhood bribing system well: “My mom used to make hand-written coupons for me that I could cash in whenever I wanted. Stuff like: a movie in the theater, dessert for dinner, trip to the park, a round of miniature golf, etc. It was super smart of her because it was a cheap present that also made me feel like I had control. It worked, too - oh, did it work.” Along the same lines, fake gold coins, pretend money and even real money all can be given as incentives and for future trade-ins for The Big One, the big thing your kid has his eyeballs on. And remember, mommy giveth, mommy can taketh away.