I have always used the naughty step from a early age, and for me it has worked a treat......although i understand that it does not work for every child.

I also use a device called a naughty spot mat which i purchased from Mothercare about seven months ago, as i sometimes had tantrums from my daughter who is three when we would go to tesco's (she is a bit of a diva when she wants to be) and i wanted something that would work the same as a naughty step..... they are really good they fold down to a purse size little bag and are really handy i only have used it twice as she hated it that much.....and i must admit it was not nice, as she looked so embarrassed sitting on the floor next to the weetabix...... i hated it just as much as her but i remained strong and its worked...she is being much better behaved around tesco's.....!! thankfully!!

I hate smacking and i hate shouting and i never do it......for one big reason, my mum had quite bad hormones while i was growing up and it was alway like a ticking time bomb...if we were naughty or cheeky etc, we would get a smack or just get screamed at....now my mum loves us very much and did not realise she had a problem, but that had a long term effect on me, such as hating uncomfatable silences, always trying to make people happy.... even at my expense!! and hating confrontation and raised voices!! so i always promised i would never do this to my kids.

And i am lucky as they have both been really respondent to the naughty step and even my six year old still goes on naughty step although not very often, but i find by speaking to my children about why their behaviour was not acceptable and explaining it makes me sad..... they respond well.

Im not saying this will work for everyone as i understand sometimes it can not be that easy and some children are little monkies....but started young enough i think it can work.