Have you ever felt frustrated because your children don’t listen to you?  Would you like to know how to become more successful by getting them to listen to you without having to raise your voice?  Here are some suggestions:

First of all, make sure you’re facing your child, looking at him or her in the eye.  You also have to get your child to look at you.  So if the computer is being used or the television is on, move your child away from other activities so you get direct eye contact.

Successful parenting happens when there’s a two-way communication happening.

The second thing you can do as a parent is to ask your child to repeat what you said simply and calmly saying, “What did you hear me say?”  When your child tells you, you respond with a “Great listening!” comment and then speaking in short sentences. 

Thirdly, your child will only give you two or three sentences of attention so make them count!  Long explanations are wasted energy—they’re not heard.  Keep your sentences short and sweet and to the point.  If your child begins to argue, just smile (knowing this is a power play) and say in a soft voice, “What did you hear me say?”  Whatever your child answers, keep repeating this statement until your child tells you what you said.

Then, and only then, do you reward your child with pizzazz—“You are so smart and what a great job listening!” Try it and see what happens.