How to Get Your Kids to Listen (Without Yelling or Nagging)

• Post Time - 2024-01-21 11:56:08

A much-needed demand; I want my kids to listen and obey without me having to yell and nag all the time. Raising an obedient child is a journey that starts at the very early stages of childhood. It's about instilling in them values of respect, gentleness, and consideration for others’ needs. While it takes time and effort, the rewards are worthy of the effort. Here are some tips to get your kid listen to you and obey your demands, most of the time without any need to struggle:

Getting your children obey your demands can feel like a constant uphill battle. True@ You bark orders, they drag their feet. You repeat yourself, they tune you out. You get frustrated, they melt down. And this itself is enough to make any parent feel frustrated to the extent of wanting to pull their hair out.

But wait! Before you throw in the towel, here are some tips for you that will help make things better and the situation pass smoother:

1. Use positive reinforcement.

Kids respond better to praise and encouragement than yelling, scorning and punishment. So, catch them being good and let them know how proud and happy you are. This will make them thrilled, confident and strive to do the same time and time again. For example, instead of saying "Stop hitting your sister," say "I love how you're playing so nicely together like that other day!"

2. Give clear instructions.

For example, instead of saying "Go clean up your room," say "Please go and pick up your toys and put them in your locker." Be specific about what you need from your child, and give them time to get the job done.

3. Get down to their level.

Make eye contact and speak in a calm, gentle yet firm voice. This will help your child focus more on what you're saying and feel more connected to you. There is no need to call on them while you’re in the kitchen and keep arguing about why they’re not answering back and whether they really have difficulty hearing you. Some moms suffer from having a low voice and fragile vocal chords. So instead of sharing your chats with the neighbors, go to your kid, face him and tell him about what you want from him.

4. Follow through with consequences.

If your child refuses to obey your, then be firm yet gentle and fair. Let them know what the consequence will be if they don't do what you want, and then follow through. This will help them to know that there will be consequences for their disobedience.

5. Be patient.

It takes time and patience to get kids to be polite and obedient. So don't fall into frustration easily or feel discouraged, rather, keep trying, and eventually, they'll catch on.

6. Make it a game.

Turn your orders and demands into a fun competition or perhaps a game. See who can pick up the most toys in a minute, or race to get dressed for school.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: https://www.aacap.org/

• The Gottman Institute: https://www.gottman.com/

• Positive Parenting Solutions: https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/

I hope this helps!