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How old are the kids, exactly?
Plan EVERYTHNG out well in advance, not the day of the sitting. Scope out the location and know what the lighting will be at the time of day you plan to have them pose. For example, if the morning sun will be streaming in a particular window, you need to know that and avoid that spot.
Plan where you want furniture to be. Move things around to suit your goals. (I rearrange clients' furniture all the time.) A couch is a great idea, since they will be comfortable and you can vary their head heights.
Bring a portable DVD player to help the younger ones sit in one place. Position it on a table just behind you as you shoot, if you need to
Have the clothing and exact position of each kid worked out in your mind before you come for the sitting.
Settle on ONE location before hand. Don't let the client talk you into "taking some photos in this room, and some other photos in that room, just to see..." You will have a huge challenge with the ages of these kids as it is.
I find, with a kid about age 5 or younger, I have about twenty minutes of their attention and that's about it. No time for experimenting or trying different things. You need to know exactly what you want to do as soon as you ask them to pose.
Feel free to resort to bribery. Talk to the parents beforehand about the fact that you'd like to bring a small toy for each of them. Show it to them beforehand and let them know that it will be theirs after you're done ("if they're good".)
It would still be better if you can persuade the family to go with four separate portraits, though!
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