Getting Your Kids to Listen
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Getting Your Kids to Listen
| Mon, 06-18-2007 - 10:44pm |
We're always telling kids to "pay attention" -- in school, in church, and of course, when mom's trying to explain why it's not generally considered a good idea to smear peanut butter in one's hair. But what we don't really tell children is how to pay attention, even when they really need to. What's your best tactic for getting your kids to really hear what you're trying to say? (Other than a megaphone...)





Well if you're talking techniques...I found that by stopping the YELLING made my kids have to listen much more closely. I'm a big fan of meaning exactly what I say and saying exactly what I mean. If I say to be off the computer in five minutes, my kids know I'll be up there pushing that turn off button in 5.5 minutes, no matter WHAT they'll lose. Once they're 'trained' to know you mean business and that you aren't going to repeat yourself over and over, they tune in pretty quick when you speak.
As for the 'real' conversations, I think the key is them knowing that you're listening to them! As the other poster mentioned, unplugging, eye contact and sincerity are all key!
Denise