Mother knows best — but when will health experts get the message?

ANNA Karin Kingston once locked her son in the boot of the car. He had gone wild in the supermarket, damaging the trolleys and threatening mayhem throughout the shop. But the shopping had to be done, so she dragged him, kicking and screaming, out to the car park.

Every time she tried to quieten him, he scratched and bit her. He was seven, and already strong and agile.

She knew from experience that if she put him in the car he would break everything he could get hold of — indicators, mirrors, the gear stick. So she managed to get the boot open and forced him in there.