Kid One and Kid Two share a bedroom and a bunk bed. Result: bedtime can sometimes be a little noisy with Two kicking the top bunk and One chucking stuffed animals to the bottom bunk while Mom and Pop yell out "SHHHHHH" at the top of their lungs (which FYI is really hard to do). SHHHH turns into threats, and what started out as banter between One and Two turns into World War 3.
Ughh.
Try this: Explain why they need to change their current behavior "You two have to be quiet and go to sleep. We have school tomorrow and you need to be awake so you can learn." Clearly state your expectations, "This talking and singing and yelling is not acceptable at this hour." ASK THEM what they would like their consequence to be, "There is going to be a consequence if you keep this up. What's it going to be?"
Not that: "That's it! No more television for the rest of the week!"
Why? Not only is important to explain why the current behavior is unacceptable at that moment (e.g. it's okay to play in the afternoon, but not when it's bedtime because sleep is necessary to grow and learn) BUT it is also important to ask the child for input on the consequences. When asked for input, the child is surprisingly more punative than you would be (e.g. I won't be able to eat dessert for the rest of my life! or I won't be able to have friends over until next year). By giving them a voice and asking for their opinion they are more likely to be compliant, you see what is important to them, the process is more democratic, and BONUS, you get props for saying, "Well, maybe you should just lose your dessert tomorrow night instead of for the rest of your life"
