Ten Ways to Get Your Kids to Listen to You

There are times when every parent feels as if they might as well
be talking to a block of wood. As with many other things, the
harder you try to get your kids to listen, the more resistance
you get. Here are ten things to consider when you want to get a
message across: 

1.)Make sure your relationship is solid. If your kids don’t like
you, they’re a lot less likely to listen to you. 

2.)Remember that actions speak louder than words. If your kids
know that what you say won’t be backed up with action, they’ll
more easily tune you out. Having natural consequences for not
listening (toys disappear if kids don’t listen and they’re not
picked up) has a way of having kids pay better attention. 

3.)Talk about listening to them. Make it a point to discuss the
importance of listening occasionally when your kids are
receptive. Talk about how nice it feels when someone else
listens to you completely and what a great quality this is.

4.)Have a sense of timing when you talk to your kids. Don’t
expect them to listen well when they’re in the middle of
something, when they’re extremely tired, or when they’re hungry.
Find a time when they’re reasonably relaxed and you have their
full attention.

5.Model great listening yourself. Give them your absolute
attention when they speak to you and try to reflect back what
you heard so they can see how focused you were on what they were
saying. 6.Each child listens in a unique way, get to know their
preferred style. Your child may be a kinesthetic learner who
listens and understands by writing something down or by walking
through something. Find the way to reach your child in the way
that works best. 

7. Avoid Lectures Many parents have a lecturing style that
they’re unaware of. Their kids are very aware of this style
however, and tune them out. Speak in a casual and pleasant tone
that you would use when talking with a friend 

8. Limit their TV watching. Kids who watch a lot of TV tend to
be more easily distracted and have a more difficult time
listening. This may also help to improve your relationship when
you spend more time with your kids! 

9. Talk to your kids in a non-judgmental way. The more they feel
judged by you, the more shame they’ll feel and the less they’ll
hear. See your kids as great and they’ll listen as though they
are! 10. Be genuinely interested in your children’s lives. 

Ask them curious questions about what’s they’re experiencing.
When your kids know that you have a real interest in their life,
they’re more likely to look forward to what you have to say.