How to get Little Kids to Listen

When young children ignore their parents' directions and continue to behave poorly, a breakdown in the family unit occurs. Children, like all human beings, operate better under clearly established guidelines. Once kids quit listening to their parents, it requires consistency and determination to restore order.

Instructions

1. Tell, don't ask. This is a simple rule to remember. Just don't ask your child what they want to do when you have a specific desire in mind. Instead of saying, "Would you please clean your room?" state clearly what you want, "Clean your room." If you form your request as a question, you give them lots of wiggle room to refuse.

2. Acknowledge their feelings but stand firm on the action desired. Little children become frustrated when they think their feelings don't matter and they may act out when given directions they oppose. If your child wants to play but it's bath time, say something like, "I know you want to play longer but right now you are going to take your bath. You can play later."

3. Set reasonable consequences and disciplines. A five-minute time-out is appropriate for a toddler who is misbehaving; sending him to bed without supper is not.

4. Stand firm on your consequences for misbehavior. Children love to test their limits and if you balk on your promised discipline one time, they know there is a chance you will do so again. This is why setting reasonable consequences is so important, because you must carry through.

5. Praise and reward little kids for good behavior. If the only attention they get is when they misbehave, they will misbehave. Instead, make sure you lavish praise for a job well done, for minding, for sharing or for playing nicely and you will instill these behaviors in your child.

6. Resist labeling your child. Even when you're angry, telling your child that he is "bad" or "lazy" is counterproductive. Instead, address his behavior. Re-word your disappointment by saying something like, "It's wrong to bite. It hurts other people and you must not bite your friends anymore."

Tips & Warnings

• Most experts agree that physical punishment is counterproductive and is only acceptable if the parent is trying to prevent injury to the child or to another person.