Follow Through. Expectations & Consequences

Last week, in "Follow Through, Realistic Expectations of Little Ones", we talked about being fair to little ones, now let's talk about being firm with them.
So long as you're sure you've set fair and realistic expectations of your child, don't be afraid to be firm with them. If your clean up time is devolving into a gong show I hate to tell you, but.... they've got your number! This isn't good.
Try this. Before you begin a task tell them what you want them to do, ask them if they understand, and if they have any questions or input, then tell them what will happen if they don't do what you've asked.
For example. If they've been told to tidy up their toy room. "If either of you start arguing or not helping, you will spend the next half hour up in the kitchen, sitting in the corner, and then after that you'll have to come back down here and finish tidying up. Mommy's not going to give you any warnings, this is your warning, if there is any trouble you're going straight to the kitchen and into the corner."
And actually follow through.
No yelling.
No pleading.
No warnings.
30 minutes on the timer, no negotiating.
When 30 minutes is up, take the naughty child back down to the toy room and calmly tell him, that now he will finish what he was told to do in the first place. If he's still causing problems take him back to the corner. 30 minutes on the timer, then back down to the toy room.
The first time you implement a new discipline they will test you. You may have to go back and forth between the punishment and the task several times before the child actually realizes you mean business and your will is just as strong as theirs. Don't make a drama out of it. No yelling or whining at your child. You are in control, you have the power.
At the beginning this is an exhausting process, stick with it. The next time you sit them down and explain exactly what you want from them and what will happen if they don't co-operate, they will believe you. They might test you again, but over time they will come to realize that it's just not worth it, and will learn to obey your requests without so much fuss.