Ok, if you seriously want me to believe that there is a child, anywhere, who didn't do at least one naughty deed per day, then I have to assume said sprog was born in a stable at midwinter!

As to my kids, after a while, I didn't have to punish them. Once they realised that if they were upfront and truthful about their misdeeds, the worst they'd face was to have to put things right, help to do so or, in the case of major destruction, apologise, punishment became unnecessary by the time they were both able to talk sensibly. Most things kids do wrong are either mistakes or the result of not thinking. Actual malice is rare in the under-12s, and if they know they'll get straight dealing and have the hows, whys and wherefores of any rules explained to them, they're even prone to be reasonable as teenagers (apart from occasionally coming home bladdered).

Cheek was tolerated provided it met the required standard of wittiness.

When dealing with very young children, it is necessary to be firmer, because they donlt yet grasp the rules and are much more vulnerable to unintended or unexpected consequences of actions. A sharp word or a tap on a nappy-protected bottom usually suffices.