Third Time’s A Charm: How To Get Kids To Listen The First Time

Every parent knows the pain of having to ask their kid to do the thing 2, 3, 4 times. It is maddening. Is sound coming out of my voice, am I speaking in Latin? Why is the thing not happening? Here’s advice from the hive mind on…

How To Get Kids To Listen The First Time

James Dale: In my house, once then punishment. If I have to say it again, they get grounded. No tv, cell phone, video games, etc. It wont take long for them to realize you’re not playing. Im a teacher and don’t give slack. Does your boss allow you to not do something until he told 3 times?

Tim Sheehan: One thing we found was VERY effective was, when we gave our children a directive, we would ask them to repeat back to us what we’d just asked them to do. This eliminates “I didn’t hear you,” “I misunderstood you,” “I didn’t know you meant right NOW,” “I thought you meant my sister,” etc.

Chad A. Kooiman: Adapting to fatherhood means evolving with the challenges, and mornings with my boys, aged 11 and 9, provided just that. I instilled in them that making their bed upon waking is their first triumph of the day. Our breakfast discussions began to focus on planning our day, laying out tasks, and setting clear expectations to avoid any unwelcome surprises. So, when it was time for room cleaning, they knew exactly what was expected. If there was any dawdling, a gentle reminder that their bedtime was set in stone, and any delay only ate into their leisure time, usually did the trick. This tactic aligned beautifully with my recent interest in the digital world, particularly after discovering 코인카지노, where the precision and foresight I applied at home mirrored the strategic thinking needed for success in that realm. The change was swift and marked; mornings transformed from a battleground to a launchpad for daily successes.

Jay Serna: You might make sure your giving them age appropriate instructions. Call them to you so you have their undivided attention. Then give the instructions with a minimal number of steps. If they do it, then they are trying to comply. It doesn’t make sense to punish kids if the problem is just their attention span is too short.

Aris Kolehmainen: Don’t threaten, just discipline with a punishment. But you need to be consistent. If one kid loses TV for not cleaning the room, then that’s what it is for ALL the kids.

Michael Gilmer: Honestly, personally….. Nothing it ain’t easy.

My son loves his tablet and DVD in the van.

I give an instruction. I calmly and slowly count to 3. If I get to three he losses privileges and I stick to it.

Richard Follick: Take all their privileges away while they are at school, actually, empty their entire bedroom and only leave them a bed, I figure that most the time when kids aren’t listening 90% of the time they involved with some sort of technology, technology is a privilege, privileges are earned.

Jeff McCartney: You are threatening and not following through with punishment. Kids pick up on this and realize they can get away with it multiple time. One warning if still not done threatened punishment must be followed through with.

Wale Olorunda: Nothing at all. Your teaching them there is a consequence for an action but at same time although they are not immediately not doing as they are told or questioning what u want them to do, they are thinking for themselves and making there own judgments. I know I would rather have a child that has its own mind then a child that is a sheep that can only follow orders rather then lead.

Flickr photo by Francois Karm.