it takes more energy to parent the lazy way than the hard way... meaning if you follow through with punishments (self-controled and with love) the first time and everytime your parenting life will be easier in the long run than to "count to 3" (or 15 for that matter) or to just shrug it off...

not saying you done this and im no expert... we are on our first right now... but from seeing other parents and their kids... the parent who responds the quickest to punishment (with love) and the most consistent are usually the ones with the perfect child... 

sometimes a kid has too much energy to listen... my parents made me run all over the farm and burn tons of energy if i didnt listen...

make em run! wear them out! kids like a dog need far more excersize than what we think... dont get them on rittalin... i have seen good energetic kids turn to bums on that drug...