2¢

When shooting kids, always have a back-up plan and then have a back-up plan to that back-up plan. Kids are unpredictable and moody. Rarely will they go for your first idea. So start off with your second idea then go back to the first so your second is really your first. Know what I mean? 
  
(2¢ post series is me offering up my mostly useless, sometimes helpful photo tips. click on "two cents" in the "go directly to" bar to the right to view more)