A Better Way to Get Kids to Listen

Here is a better way to get your kids to listen.

Kids will never listen perfectly.
Neither will adults…

But there are things you can do that help.

We have three kids 6 years old and under.
Sometimes they pretend they have hearing deficiencies.

We say things like:

• No!

• Stop!

• Put that down!

With no success. They just keep going.

It is frustrating and can lead to yelling if we aren’t careful.
But things get better when we follow some simple rules.

• Communicate expectations clearly

• Consistently follow through

• Quickly create consequences

When you speak slowly, clearly, and get their eye contact, it seems to register more clearly.

It is easy to create unrealistic consequences.
In your frustration, you threaten some big consequence to lay the hammer down.

But when the time comes, you don’t follow through because you realize it’s too big.

A lack of consistency kills your credibility.

When you lose credibility, your kids are less inclined to listen. They don’t think you mean business.

Only give consequences you will follow through on.

Then, if your kids show deliberate disobedience, it is time to act.
Move up your line of action as close as possible to the act of disobedience.

Over time, consistent loving discipline will help them open their ears.

1. If you say you are a Christian, but then don’t live it out, you may build a wall between your family and God. The wall can be broken down, but not without much effort.

2. Accepting that people will disagree with you is critical to fulfilling the plans God has for you.

3. “Other Idea” re-run due to school starting up this week: Your performance as a parent is not found on your child’s report card.

I hope you have a great week!!

God Bless,
Matt Virgin