When NO Isn't Enough

Am entangled in the mess called "Disciplining Your Preschooler".

It used to be simple. If I threatened to send Beth to the corner, she would meekly apologize, and harmony would be restored.

These days, I say "No" and she ignores me.
I say "Go to the corner" and she says "No!".
I say "Drink your honey" and she says "Okay" but continues to do whatever she was doing before I spoke.
I put on my No Compromises facial expression and she responds with sulky face and arms akimbo.
Sometimes she even storms off before I'm done.

This battle of the wills makes me feel like a total failure at parenting. Where is the sweet compliant child who willingly said "Please" and "Thank you" and greeted our friends without prompting?

I checked with Alison, mother of Daniel (5). She confirmed that yes, D is also pushing the boundaries and wearing her out with his rebellion but he has to learn that No means No.

And it's not like I'm a softie where discipline's concerned. I was reared in the "Do as I say because I'm your mother" school and never dared to openly defy my mum, not at the age of 5 anyway. I cannot understand where Beth gets her streak of rebelliousness from, much less what to do about it.

The Good Book warns: "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

Perhaps it's time for a return to good old fashioned spanking and caning.