Disciplining a two-year-old

This is something that we (my hubby and I) have been struggling with since our son could walk. How do you raise a respectful and well behaved child when you can't reason with a toddler? We want Nicholas to behave, follow the rules, be safe and know right from wrong, and we, as his parents are responsible to see that he does. I've read some books on the subject and while some of it is good advice, its easier read than done. For example, today at Toys-R-Us, we let him walk without holding hands and when we were deciding on a par of slippers for Claire, Nicholas turned and ran off. I went after him and was directed by a couple as to which direction he went. I was both angry that he'd run off and worried that he ran off and could either be taken or hurt. When I found him, he was laughing, thinking he was funny. I tried to explain that it was wrong to run off, but he's two and didn't really get it. My husband and I have decided that if he misbehaves in a store, he will get one warning and then it's out to the car and one of us will sit there with him. We've done this before in Safeway.

When we're at home, we have problems with follow through. This is mostly around meal time. Nicholas is out of the high chair now and likes to use big chairs. His latest, however is to stand at the island counter and eat. I'm fine with it, as long as he eats, its when he gets up and down and wanders. How do we teach him to sit and eat properly? We model the proper behavior, but it doesn't work.

We put him in the corner for "time out" for 2 minutes and then we try and talk to him about why he was in the corner, but of course, he's two and doesn't understand why. I don't know what's harder, being a two-year-old, or disciplining a two-year-old....oh and I heard that a three year old is worse. Arggh

A day in my life

Most of my days are spent with my two year old son and my now 6 month old daughter. Some days my son is at daycare and I'm able to take my daughter to fit4two fitness classes and other days, we are together all day. On those days, like today, we go out to the local recreation centre to the drop-in play group and then come home for snack and to bake. Today, it was blueberry yogurt muffins. My son, Nicholas, loves to help in the kitchen. He will pull up a chair to the counter and stand, ready to "cook". He loves to "dump" and "stir" and lets me know with his "outside" voice when the beeper has gone off and the muffins are ready. It also seems that as soon as we're ready to "cook", my daughter, Claire will decide that she needs my attention and will let me know that she's annoyed with a high-pitched squeal that makes your ears ring. Once I give her a quick snack, it's back to muffin-making and cleaning up. Now, I could just make the muffins when Nicholas is napping and get it done in half the time and half the mess, but Nicholas loves to help and he's learning too. How can I say no when he's standing on the chair, smiling and saying "Mommy, I a lucky boy" No Nicholas, I'm the lucky one.