Although different words are used to describe the problem, most say something like “Getting the kids to listen to me and do what I’ve asked the first time.” When you talk about your kids listening to you, it’s more than just being able to parrot back what you said.
Listening is an active process which involves:
- Paying attention to what is being said
- Observing the tone of voice and gestures
- Thinking about what is being communicated
- Responding
When your kids are listening to you, they understand what you are communicating. Whether they respond as you would like is another matter!
Understanding Who Controls Listening
If you try to force your kids to listen to you and obey your request, you’ve set yourself up for a power struggle. You may say to yourself “Well I’m the parent! My kids should listen to me and do what I ask the first time I ask!”
(finish reading the article on PricelessParenting.com)