I was adopted, at the tender age of 13 and was the older of four children. I can remember my adopted father 'laying down the law' shortly after adoption. He would not tolerate the 'terrible two's' attitude whatsoever. I too raise my son with a loving but firm hand and he turned out to be a good man who, by the way, raised his kids the same way. I can also remember, when my son was about two or so and decided he was going to have a temper tantrum in the grocery store because he wasn't getting what he wanted. He only did it ONE time. I calmly explained, to him, that I would take him over my knee and paddle his little butt right there in the grocery store and, wa-la, the temper tantrum went away. If the children THINK they have the upper hand, they will push you to the limit. It all depends on how you handle bad behavior. It is absolutely necessary to reprimand your child, when they get out of hand. If my child wanted something, from me, and if it wasn't appropriate at that particular time, I would usually say 'Yes...you may have it but not right now' and we would explain why he wasn't being rewarded with his desire. I brought him up to respects my wife, as well as myself and all those who were his seniors and he learned to address them appropriately. I would not tolerate deliberate misbehavior.