http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/hn7wd/what_was_your_cagiest_move_as_a_parent_mine_is/c1wr7yb
the pen: this is used when we take the kids shopping. when they started acting up, we would pull out a pen, and make a small mark on their wrist. they had no idea what it was until we all got home. for each mark they got a swat (add your own form of discipline here). the next time we went out and started acting up, we pulled out the pen and they immediately sobered up. one is 3 and the other is 5. works for both of them. got the idea from a friend. people are always amazed at the immediate transformation when we pull out an insignificant pen. we explain it to them most of the time and they always agree it’s a great idea.