Some pro-tips that may or may not help (see point 1 from most of these comments that all kids are different).<p>When they are old enough and you are taking them to the park, give a count down til time to leave. "Hey kiddo, we are leaving in 5 minutes", "... 3 minutes", "... 1 minute...", "ok, time to go.". There will still likely be protesting, but it is smoother than what they will perceive as an unwarranted attack on their fun when, out of the blue, it is "time to go."<p>When a kid is superficially hurt (scrapped knee, bumped elbow, etc), all their attention can go to the injury. Worse is when all your attention goes there and _you_ get scared. They see that mom/dad is scared, so, oh shit, this _must_ be bad. It is very important to act casual about most minor (or even major) injuries. "Oh wow, look at that! haha, you got yourself a scrape! Well done!". For removing their attention from their injury, you need to refocus their attention. "Oh, yeah, look at that scrape. Yeah, I know it hurts. Hey, which rock did you scrape it on? Was it this one? Let's find the rock. Oh, there it is. What color is that rock? Can you see anything else that is that color? What about that over there? That is the same color, yeah? Ok. Well, let's get rid of that nasty rock. How about you toss it in those bushes over there so it doesn't hurt anyone else." Or you can just be silly. Silly adults are a great way to make a kid laugh and forget what they were upset about.<p>Little kids love to help. They will be slow and terrible at helping. It is critical that they feel they are helping.<p>I suggest avoiding allowance tied to chores. Chores should be done because they help the family and everyone needs to help the family.<p>Kids do well with routines. Family reading time every night at 7:30, etc.<p>Your goal should be the raising of capable adults. Give them autonomy and trust. However, you can expect what you inspect. Especially as they are young, you have to inspect regularly. Expect them to do their homework, brush their teeth, clean their room do their chores, etc. When they are really young, lots of check ups (daily?). When they are older, less frequent.<p>Kids, like everyone, learn through mistakes. Give them the ability to make mistakes and learn from them.<p>Magic eraser can erase sharpie from painted walls. They should be the one to clean it up.<p>Kids are smarter than you know, or think you know. They are full humans, just with lack of experience and impulse control.<p>Kids will have different ways of learning than you did.<p>What kids want more than anything is your time.