After four kids and 11 grandkids.....
CONSISTENCY!!!!!

This is so utterly important. They need to know they can count on you, and if you are wishy-washy, changing your mind, punishing them one time for something and letting them off the next, they will never know what to expect.

And if you tell your toddler you are going to count to three and then get up, do not count to three and then sit on your butt yelling. get up, and do whatever it was you were going to do.See, consistency!

Consistancy is the key. I was going to say love, but love isn't really a characteristic or skill, love is just there. It comes natural (or at least should). If you are consistant in every aspect of parenting, there is no confusion and kids know what to expect. I firmly believe in discipline, but again, if it isn't consistant, it's no good.

Children need structure and discipline!And Boundaries