@ womble - from a experienced father's side (which may differ from the mother's in many respects!)
Kids will always test their limits, from the start and at all ages - that's normal, but strenous at times. It requires strong nerves, consequence, self confidence, patience, tolerance, wisdom,, love (not necessarily in that order).
Young parents are usually not trained for the task, and learn by trial and error. And not all of them have all of the above all of the time - sad fact of life!
