Disobedient Kids: Getting Your Children to Listen to You
Not All Children Learn in the Same Manner
For Infants And Toddlers
Infants and toddlers can be some of the most challenging children to try to get to listen to you because honestly they might listen but still can not fully grasp what you are telling them. One of the keys when dealing with kids in this age group is facial expressions and demonstrating actions to the child. When you are happy, make sure your child sees a smile on your face, that is one of the ways they know you are happy with what they are doing. Meanwhile, if they are doing something you disapprove for make sure you do not smile while disciplining them. When an infant or child "slaps at" a parent make sure they know in no uncertain terms that is not good, if you smile or laugh when telling them no they will receive a conflicting message. No matter how cute something is when your infant or toddler disobeys you, you can not react in the same way that you would when they do something you approve of. This means you can not smile or laugh when disciplining your child.
For Older Children
As children mature, they develop the ability to reason. Sometimes this can frustrate a parent because it brings about that question of "why". Children will ask "why" millions of times in their lifetime, as a parent though you need to take advantage of this inquisitiveness. When your child asks you "why", explain things in terms they can understand. Keep in mind if you speak above their understanding level they will shut you out and ignore the lesson you are trying to teach them. Quite often the best way to get older children to listen to you is to use examples. You may have to act these out so they can understand what you mean, with others words may be enough to develop understanding. Every situation is different. Keep in mind though that the answer of "no" or "because I said so" that might have worked with infants and toddlers will work much less frequently with older children. In the end though, never forget your role. Never forget that you are the parent. Not every decision has to be explained to your child. If they are questioning your judgment after you explain something, then sometimes the answer "you will understand when you are older" is something you still have to resort to. Explain to your child that your decisions are because you love them and that you are doing it to protect them, not just to make them mad.
As a parent, you need to decide the best method to communicate with your child. Keep in mind that nobody knows your individual child better than you. This article and others that you read in parenting magazines are just general guidelines. As a parent it's best to take advice from many sources and then adapt it to fit your child and your own parenting style. The more input you receive the more options you have in your decision making as a parent. This is why things like play groups aren't just good for kids, but they are also good for the parents accompanying their children. While the kids can play the parents can talk and share ideas.
Published by A.Kirk
Married 33 year old father of a one year old. Love taking care of my son, playing games with friends, and following the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, Football and Baseball in general. View profile
- Food Texture Problems in Infants and Toddlers There are many children who experience food texture problems. They are unable to eat many foods because of the texture that results in them gagging or vomiting. Here are some helpful hints to coping with food texture...
- How to Promote Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers The process of gathering information, organizing it and finally using it is the essence of the cognitive experience. Knowing and understanding come from active involvement with people and things.
- How to Deal with Infants and Toddlers with Eczema Dealing with small children who have eczema can be frustrating. But it doesn't have to be.
- Signs and Symptoms of Autism in Infants and Toddlers Children as young as 2 months have developed noticeable signs of autism; these symptoms are most often noticed by the age of 4-5, but do occur as early as 2 months.
- Cold Remedies for Infants and Toddlers This article suggests five cold remedies for an infant or toddler that has a cold.
- Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers
- The Best Childrens Magazines for Infants and Toddlers
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Infants and Toddlers
- Effective Cold Remedies for Infants and Toddlers
- Should Infants and Toddlers Sleep with Parents?
- Dining Options for Infants and Toddlers at Walt Disney World
- Pediped Shoes for Infants and Toddlers
|
|
- It's Already that Time: How Much Will You Pay for Summer Camp?
- To Punish Daughter, Dad Destroys Her Laptop: Tough Love or Too Extreme? (Video)
- What Do You Do with the Valentine's Day Cards Your Kids Bring Home from School?
- Why I Fired My Child's Pediatrician (And How it Saved My Son's Life)
- Parenting Guru: A special Valentine for a mystery 4th grade girl
- Remember age affects what methods of communication work best with children.
- Not all children learn at the same pace or from the same style of teaching.
- Children are inherently rebellious, but can learn to reason and obey their parent's rules.
11 Comments
Post a Commentneed help with a disrespectful 19yr old
I'm concerned about ways to handle my 7 year grandson. Problems are stated related to mine, but I read no helpful solutions. So how is the following helpful?
i wish I knew all the answers because I wouldnt be struggling with my now 19th yr old. a few words of advice whatever you decide to do make sure each parent supports one another.
what do u do if the only way ur child will stop crying is if u pick him or her up cuz my friend her baby is spoiled cuz when ever he cried when he was little he would always get picked up so now that he is 1 she is trying to break him of that but she dose not know what to do so when ever he cries he picks him up and he stops what can she do to make him stop crying by consirned friend
to maria alexander starks:first of all why does a 6 yr old need a cell phone?to eveyone else i have come to the realization that maybe nowadays it isn't the kids but its the parents..we have become so busy in our own lives that we expect tv, cell phones,video games,and other adults to help us raise our children,whatever happened to ur parents telling no and it meaning no,whatever happened to getting a whack in the butt with the belt when u didn't listen..i haven't turned into a horrible adult..but yet i can't spank my child when she shoplifts because spanking is abuse..what has happened to "us" raising our own children?
I think that one of the main problems parents have today with disobedience stemps from the ways we reward kids for nothing. They don't have to work for anything they receive, and they receive loads of things. They have not only not ever known hunger (thank goodness), but they have never known the value of waiting for something special. When everything they receive is "special"--nothing is. When we as parents stop catering to a child's every whim (I'm as guilty as anyone with this), then our children may start to value patience, and they main gain an appreciation for what it takes to earn special privileges and items. Just my two cents' worth of advice. Now, I need to heed my own advice with my own kids.
I have a 6 yr old who is indeed extremly strong willed & usually no matter what I bribe or threaten him with nothing works.. I need help in a major way. Not opposed to spanking at some point down the road, but trying to avoid that route. Anybody, somebody I need help!! My husband & I don't know what to do at this point. I have taken cell phone, toys, videos, privledges & TV. Nothing seems to work with this kid.what do I do?/
Sincerly,
Trying my best to be a good parent
I also have an 8 year old%252C very smart%252C no tantrums%252C not eaily angered%252C nice manners%253B he will willfully disobey or not follow the directions%252C but not in snotty way%252C he just has his own agenda. Very aggrevating%2521 I%2527m out of ideas.
Hi have a 8 year old that will not listen ,Tried the point system,removed items that she likes. Nothing works. Think of boarding school. overseas.. Have any sugguestion
You don't address the age between toddler and 'why'. Nothing there beyond what is known already. A child will not listen no matter what and the frustration remains. No solution.