10 Solutions to Stop Nagging Kids

I was told more than once that I nagged too much. It is very unpleasant to hear, so I stop nagging altogether. That means I stopped talking, and started to let things pile up. Well, that plan backfires. I become very frustrated and envied with other people's ability to remain blind to chaos. Through trials and errors, here are 10 ways to stop nagging but also bring results.

One goal at a time

Give each member of your family a chore to do. Write it down on a piece of paper what you clearly want done, when you expect it to be finished, how it should look at the end, and what the consequences will be.

Be patience

In the meantime, be patience! You have given your child the list, the time to finish, and the reward/punishment choices. There is nothing else to do but wait.

Use Visuals

Cut out pictures from magazine to use for your specific purpose. For example, I tape a picture of an organized, beautiful, and neat bedroom on my daughter's door to remind her that's what I want her room to look like.

Precise communication

Sugar-coating in your plead for help will not bring result. Instead of "if you are doing anything, will you clear the table", say "Please clear the table when you are done." Your message is clear and direct.

Mono-task

While on the phone, or making dinner, you can look for help by get their attention, and directly tell your child or your husband to "feed the dog now, please". Use your mono-tone to get result.

Take Action

If you know you are working late, and want dinner on the table, put out an easy recipe, and a list of the menu such as chicken, rice, and salad to encourage your partner or child to carry it out.

Show a distinctive gratitude

If the chores or tasks are done, show your gratitude in a loud way. Make a distinctive gesture to show how much you appreciate his/her consideration, and helping out.

Do not take it personally

When the tasks or chores are not done, don't take it as a personal insult or disrespectful. Realizing that will stop nagging or feeling bad inside. If they are not carried out, they don't mean against you.

Switch perspective

Put yourself in your child/partner's shoes and try to understand them. Sometimes, they just want to relax during the weekend, and do nothing for a while. We all have moment when we don't want to do anything.

Get Help

Children, especially, listen to one parent better than the other. Enlist the help of the more disciplinarian figure to get things done.

These are just some suggestions to try out. Different people respond to different ways to things. In my house, using visual, taking action, direct communication, and mono-task work best with my children. Find out what works and share your ideas.