Why Won’t They Listen?!

 I don’t know about you, but there are times when I wonder if my daughters were even listening when I talked with them.

Tuning Out and Fostering Communication

There are times when it’s worse than in one ear and out the other, they are simply tuned out.

Breaking Confrontation Patterns

So how do you get them to listen without yelling?

Engaging Cooperation without Confrontation

Here is one of my best tips for breaking the patterns of confrontation and for fostering a healthy relationship and open lines of communication with your children. Specifically, how to engage your child’s cooperation without coercion, threats, or arguments.

The Secret: Making it a Competition (Without Making it One)

In short, how to save your sanity and get your children to willingly, and joyfully, do the task set before them.

The Power of a Friendly Competition

Are you ready for it?

I make it a competition, without MAKING it a competition.

Understanding Young Minds

When my daughter gripes about not wanting to clean up the living room of the explosion of toys, before I lose my temper and demand her compliance, I take a quick breath and remember…

Guiding Young Minds

Their young minds don’t work the same as ours, as adults. They are in a stage of development where they need gentle guidance while also trying to assert their independence. And, while that can be challenging as a parent, it is an important milestone.

The Art of Non-Competitive Competition

So what’s a competition without it being a competition? A better term might be a hybrid of reverse psychology in the spirit of competition.

Practical Example: Cleaning Up with a Twist

Let me give you a quick example, the other day the girls were dilly dallying when they were asked to clean up. I could feel the frustration rising. This was a simple task, they just didn’t want to do it.

The Magic Words: A Challenge Accepted

Instead of yelling or demanding they listen, or else, I simply said, “Ladies, I would like you to clean this up and I think you could do it in 15 minutes. Please don’t do it any faster.”

Results without Conflict

As I finished my request and I walked over to our timer (PSST this is the ultimate simple timer and my girls LOVE it) I could hear them plotting to get it done, and FAST!

The Power of Positive Cooperation

No arguing, no tears, no tantrums, just two little ladies dividing out tasks and getting ready to get the job done before the time ran out.

Consistency and Success

I can’t say that I apply this rule every time, I am human, but every time I DO use it, it works and I have come to swear by it.

Share Your Strategies

Let me know, what’s your go-to for getting your children to listen – the first time. Leave me a comment below or DM me on Instagram!