NO must always mean NO
From as young as a year old, your child can begin to learn the meaning of the word, 'No'.  Adopt a low, firm tone and deliver a short sharp, 'No', and do not smile. Even small children very quickly learn to recognize a parent's voice and body language of disapproval. Once your child has learnt this lesson you are on a ticket to stress-free parenting.

Orders are not negotiable
Sounds a bit boot camp but isn't.  If you ask your child to do something for you, insist that they do it and thank them and praise them when they do.  It is so important that children learn to respond to instructions.

Make rules clear and simple:
Always be specific. Telling children to 'Behave nicely' or 'Eat properly' can mean very little, but if you say, 'Take your feet off the sofa' or 'Use your spoon', you are making yourself very clear.

Encourage and reward good behaviour.
Children love attention and the praise and positive attention they receive from behaving well will spur them on to behave in that way again. Children who receive little attention from their parents will behave badly just to receive some attention, even if that attention is a reprimand. Paying little or no attention to attention-seeking behaviour is likely to stop it.

Tell children what you expect of them.
Once your children have learned to obey simple commands, talk to them before you go out and let them know exactly how you would like them to behave. Children are often better behaved if they are prepared and they know exactly what is expected of them.

Teach children manners
If you want charming children that even other people like teach them some manners.  Manners are not some sort of optional extra but essential life-skills.  It's not rocket science that children who are well-mannered are higher achievers at school, make friends more easily and more popular with other children and adults.

Please and Thank-you
Don't bother with asking for the magic word, be specific, as soon as they start to talk, prompt them to say 'Please' and 'Thank you'.  Praise and cajole them when they say it.  Always insist they use these words.  If they don't say, 'Please,' they don't get what they wanted and if don't say thank you after being prompted, immediately take away what they have been given, which will certainly get their attention.

'Please may I have?'
Encourage your children to always say, 'Please may I have?' opposed to "I want!'  when they do ask correctly congratulate them and tell them how proud you are.

Excuse-me
Simply teach your children as soon as they are talking to say, 'Excuse-me please' if they wish to interrupt when someone is already talking.  You'll be amazed how quickly they can learn this as long as they are reminded.

Eye to eye contact
Encourage your children to look people in the eye when they are talking, whether it is to an air hostess or the neighbour.

Reliability
An invaluable lesson for school-age children.  If they say or agree they are going to do something they must do it.  This lesson is best learnt by example.

Simple courtesies
Teach your children of either sex to help someone with their coat, open doors, help with push-chairs, shake hands and say 'Pardon?' not 'Wot?'