Hi, I love my kids but I get fed up of telling them either not to do something or to do it and them not listening!
Claire (and many more).
CG: Many parents (and other child care workers) know the feeling of repeating the same thing over and over again, and being ignored. A technique I have used (recommended by the psychologist of a child who had selective deafness) was to touch the child as you make the request – lightly on the arm or shoulder, make eye contact and say: ‘Tom I am asking you to clear up your room. Now do it straight away please.’ Or whatever your request is. By personalising your request and directing it to one child at a time there is less chance of it being ignored or consigned to the group as can happen with a more generalised: ‘Time to get ready’.
