My front entrance area is gated off from the house so parents can come no further. When the doorbell rings everyone runs to the gate to see whose mom it is even though I am 99% sure cause I know the order they always come in and really so do they. I open gate and open door - ONLY the child whose parent it is may come out to the front area. I talk briefly to the parent while they dress. I step in if child is not cooperating. If parent is doing the reasoning with a toddler I just step in and say XXXX at Sharon's house you do as you are told sit down, put your coat on or whatever it is that is the issue and then once dressed say goodbye see you tomorrow and then disappear on the other side of the gate. Parent usually takes child in embarassment and leaves. The kids learn though that as long as I am standing there at the door they need to cooperate. It is when I get called away to the other kids that they start to put up a fight. It is funny how they will start and then look over at me and I give them that stern look and they then do as they are told. I think we need to have lessons in "the look" added to labour and delivery classes for use after birth.