Izzy is whining ... again. According to the experts, what is the best way to respond?

Make her laugh. She'll forget why she's whining.

Whine right back at her. Izzy will learn in a hurry how annoying whining can be, and she'll eventually stop doing it.

Ignore her. Whining can make you angry, and you don't want to lose your cool.

Use sharp tones to order Izzy to stop. She'll likely be shocked, and will quickly learn that's not the way to get what she wants.

Should you pay Farquad an allowance for doing chores?

No. Never give an allowance for chores under any circumstances.

Don't give an allowance for chores. Instead, offer payment for special tasks that are not part of Farquad's everyday responsibilities.

Yes, and in fact be generous. Then charge him for rent, meals, etc. Farquad will soon learn what a good deal he's getting.

Yes, but only if the quality of his work exceeds all of your expectations.

The potty training doesn't seem to be working -- What do you do?

Oh, relax. Take a few weeks off!

Stage a 'sit-in.' Sit Izzy on the potty and wait it out. And get a chair for yourself, it may be a while.

A little shame goes a long way. Have other adults express their disappointment.

Intensify the training. During the day take Izzy to the potty every 30 minutes. At night, every hour.

Farquad keeps dreaming that he's flying or has magic abilities. Should you be concerned?

Proceed with caution. Farquad may not understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

This could be serious. Farquad is trying to escape a larger problem that he's not telling you about.

The fact that Farquad is dreaming excessively could mean he is not getting enough quality sleep.

Nothing to worry about. This is good news. Farquad is simply displaying imagination and creativity.

Izzy is a picky eater. How do you get her to eat something she doesn't like?

Wait it out. If Izzy won't eat it, make her sit at the table until she does.

Keep serving it. Getting used to certain foods can be an important first step in eventually accepting it.

Just add ketchup! Drench unwelcome food in a favorite condiment.

Mix the good and bad food on the plate. It might look ugly, but Izzy will have to eat the bad to get the good.

What's the best advice for brother/sister relationships?

Set boundaries. Farquad and Izzy, for example, should ask permission before entering each other's rooms.

Compare and contrast Farquad and Izzy. For example, if Izzy keeps her room cleaner, challenge Farquad to be more like his sister.

Minimize 'alone time' with one child over another. It may look like you are showing favorites.

Treat all children in the family exactly the same. Doing so will bring consistency to every situation.

A new baby will arrive soon. How do you best transition Izzy out of the crib to make room for her new brother or sister?

Have Izzy 'give' her bed to baby. Izzy will feel more in control, and should willingly move from the crib.

Have Izzy and baby sleep in the same bed for a few weeks. Then tell Izzy she is getting 'her own bed. She'll forget the crib was once hers.

Move Izzy out of the crib a few months before baby arrives. Then she won't think baby is 'stealing' her bed.

'Disguise' Izzy's crib by changing it any way you can. The bed will seem unfamiliar to Izzy, and she'll give it up more easily.

You've got calls to make, but Izzy keeps interrupting. What do you do?

Ignore her. Izzy needs to learn that interruption does not get results.

Give a sharp, stern warning to keep quiet while you finish your conversation.

End the call to respond to Izzy, giving her your undivided attention. Explain afterward that she was being rude.

Distract Izzy in advance. Before you call, give her something to occupy her time -- coloring, a book or toy, a TV show, etc.

How do you stop Farquad from playing too many video games?

It would be best if Farquad stopped altogether for a week -- or better still, a month. He'll find other hobbies to pass the time.

Restrict Farquad's game play to a certain amount of time each day, perhaps one hour.

Make video games a family event. No one plays them alone.

Reward Farquad for time spent not playing video games, such as by increasing his allowance.

How do you get Izzy to go to bed without a battle?

Establish a consistent routine and stick to it. Whatever steps you include, such as brushing teeth and reading stories, be sure to do them every night.

Alter the routine as much as possible so Izzy can't figure out ways to disrupt the process.

Engage in a physically tiring activity right before bedtime. Good exercise will tire Izzy out so that bedtime will be welcome.

Convince Izzy that bedtime is quiet time. Have her lay quietly in bed while she waits for you to return. Before you know it, it will be lights out!