3- Step “Super Secret” Formula to finally get your kids (and spouse) to listen
getting child to listen
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Does your child have trouble listening to you? Are you feeling like a broken record, asking again and again for what you want, and feeling like you are being totally ignored?
If you’ve asked for what you wanted and everyone in your household seems to ignore your request you’ll likely get to a point where you begin to wonder, “why isn’t this working, why aren't they listening?" You may begin to get to a boiling point, get mad, throw a fit, threaten, just give in and take care of it yourself, or complain about all that you do for everyone in the house. What you’ll likely find is that when you reach your boiling point and react (or just take care of it yourself while silently resenting your family members), others may for a short period of time take notice. Heck, you may even get your teen (or husband) to listen and pick-up their underwear off of the bedroom floor if you yell loudly enough, AND….…you may be creating a pattern of negative behaviors to get your needs met. So your children and spouse continue to ignore your requests and pleas until you blow your top, then all of sudden they are listening, responding quickly and wondering, “What’s up with mom ?”
We know that children model their parent’s behaviors, so the last thing you want to teach your child is that ignoring and then overreaching is a healthy way to communicate. The best way to teach your child to listen, respect your requests, and to communicate in healthy way is to learn how to communicate your wants and needs in a healthy manner first.You can use creativity to get back into you parenting authority, and here's a way you can do so.
Create an image of something (or someone) that represent being empowered, strong, assertive, and clear. Take a minute to see what pops up for you. Now embody this! Wear it like a cloak and ground yourself in this image. When your child or spouse wants to "hook you into an argument" or they are ignoring your requests, connect with this empowering image before you respond. You'll respond from a centered more calm place; then you can use the 3- Step “Super Secret” Formula to ask for what you need! You can take this exercise even further and create an image of this and put it in a place where you'll see it often as visual reminder of being in your parenting power.
Drum roll please....I’m going to share with you my 3- Step “Super Secret” Formula to finally get your kids (and spouse) to listen.
Validate your child’s feelings
State the problem in one sentence, identify how it makes you feel, and politely ask for what you want.
Be clear of consequences and follow-through
Here’s how it might sound. You come in to your teen's room and it is a mess and you’ve ask them to clean it and they are on Snap with their friends."I understand that connecting with your friends is important to you and it’s upsetting to get off the phone when you want to be on it. When I walk into your room and it’s messy and I asked you to clean it I feel upset and disrespected. Please pick-up all the clothes off of the floor and put them in the hamper and remove the dishes from your room by 9:00 pm tonight. If you choose not to then you will not be able to use the phone tomorrow."
DONE!
There is no need to lecture, no need to yell, not need to threaten, you have clearly asserted you needs, set reasonable expectations and consequences and given your child a choice. So there is no need to go on and on and lecture them (doing so you'll lose your parenting authority).
This must be done in a neutral tone being in your parenting authority, so your child does not hook you and get you to react! Embody that image you created and operate from this calm- empowered place and you'll be modeling for your children and spouse how to listen respectfully.
Have you tried different ways to communicate, but your child or spouse is still not listening? Schedule a complimentary phone consultation for more support.