This was a topic of interest to parents because kids not listening can lead to parents feeling angry and frustrated, feeling disrespected because a child is tuned out, and worrying about the child’s safety. How to teach the kids to listen better and make good judgements.
· Use a kitchen timer to motivate the child to finish on time.
· Narrow down the request. For ex: Instead of saying “get dressed” say “pick up your pants and wear a shirt.”
· Have a check list for your morning routine. Check off each item as they finish it.
· Go down to the child’s level, make eye contact, use a gentle touch to get their attention, be respectful of what they are doing at the time.
· Let it go; pick your battles.
· Have a “manners night” at dinner, for example, where you make a list together of what to work on ahead of time. Then, on manners night, focus primarily on manners, giving praise, prompting when needed, etc., then rewarding with dessert and discussing how everyone did. Make it fun. Additional note: this is not the night to focus on kids eating everything on their plate!
· Highly recommend Julietta Skoog’s (QAE) class on Positive Discipline, and do it together with your spouse.
· Follow similar methods to what they use at school (saying “Brains engaged, voices off.” Ask the kids “do you think that’s being kind, safe and fair?”
· For a dangerous situation you can ask “How do you think that makes mommy feel when you do that? Mommy is scared because it’s not safe…” or “That’s not an option.” Explain what the consequence could be, such as getting hit by a car or getting hurt.
Good book on this: How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk
· Use a kitchen timer to motivate the child to finish on time.
· Narrow down the request. For ex: Instead of saying “get dressed” say “pick up your pants and wear a shirt.”
· Have a check list for your morning routine. Check off each item as they finish it.
· Go down to the child’s level, make eye contact, use a gentle touch to get their attention, be respectful of what they are doing at the time.
· Let it go; pick your battles.
· Have a “manners night” at dinner, for example, where you make a list together of what to work on ahead of time. Then, on manners night, focus primarily on manners, giving praise, prompting when needed, etc., then rewarding with dessert and discussing how everyone did. Make it fun. Additional note: this is not the night to focus on kids eating everything on their plate!
· Highly recommend Julietta Skoog’s (QAE) class on Positive Discipline, and do it together with your spouse.
· Follow similar methods to what they use at school (saying “Brains engaged, voices off.” Ask the kids “do you think that’s being kind, safe and fair?”
· For a dangerous situation you can ask “How do you think that makes mommy feel when you do that? Mommy is scared because it’s not safe…” or “That’s not an option.” Explain what the consequence could be, such as getting hit by a car or getting hurt.
Good book on this: How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk