How do your get your kids to behave themselves? If new research is anything to go by, most parents resort to rewards after good behaviour.
But the good news is that a new poll by Kinder has discovered that most parents are being sensible and not giving their kids sweet treats too often.
The research also discovered that parents are getting confused by all the different advice that comes from the governments, experts and their own doctor and health visitors.
So how exactly should you reward your children? And what other things do you need to notice to stop them being naughty?
We got child expert Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, presenter of BBC's House Of Tiny Tearaways to give us her advice...
The biggest mistake parents make is too many big gestures when they're trying to get their kids to do something.
'I prefer a pyramid approach to rewards,' says Dr Kilbey. 'This means that most of the time, you give them small things for small changes in their behaviour. The bigger the reward, the bigger the effort or change your child will be making.'
The three main things that parents should give their kids are:
'If you want to reward them for doing something, tell them they can have a longer bath than normal, suggest a game you can play together, or simply say how good they've been and give them a cuddle.'
Half of parents admit that they give their kids rewards for being good, but the other half give children treats to stop them from being naughty.
'Children aren't born knowing how to behave well like other things in life which means they have to learn this skill,' says Dr Kilbey. 'By linking rewards with bad behaviour, you are increasing the likelihood that they will misbehave again.'
'One of the main things parents don't spot is that they are being too hard on their kids,' says Dr Kilbey. 'Placing unrealistic expectations on your children will mean that they'll probably never reach them.'
However much you'd like your 3-year-old to sit at the table for your entire lunch, accept the fact that they're probably not going to manage it until they're a little older.
'It's more important that they eat their lunch, even if it is sitting on the floor in the lounge, rather than at the dining table,' explains Dr Kilbey. 'What you need to do is to spot when your child is doing something well and then praise them and tell how good they are. That's the way to get them to repeat the good behaviour.'
Do you feel as if you've tried everything to stop your kids' bad behaviour? You could be too stressed or anxious.
'Kids pick up on their parents' moods,' says Dr Kilbey. 'If you're stressed out, then your children will notice and play up more. Try to give yourself 30 minutes to calm down - being relaxed will make your job far easier.'
Most parents say that they are in control of what their kids eat and that the current media fascination with sweets and chocolate in children's diets is over the top.
But the research also shows that mums and dads prefer to use sweets or chocolate as a reward, rather than something far more simple such as family time.
And while Dr Kilbey doesn't say you should never use chocolate as a reward, 'ideally parents should be encouraged to see spending time with their child as an excellent and effective form of reward or treat.'
- The secret of getting your toddler to behave
- 15 ways to be a nearly perfect parent
- What to do when your kids lie
- Why naughty is normal