How to get your child to listen – An unexpected tool every parent of a young child needs now
It’s 10:50 am. You should have been out the door and headed to your appointment five minutes ago. You feel your blood pressure rise as you sharply say, “Get. Your. Shoes. On.” for the 40th time. You needed to know how to get your child to listen last week.
Wonder no more. You’ll love this positive parenting tool. Your answer is here: how to get your child to listen without yelling. This tool will accomplish another parenting goal: how to talk so kids will listen.
Make sure to Pin this to refer back to later.
Children feel out of control when we give them orders. If we change that feeling, we can change their response.
My secret tip is to use puppets — and let me tell you: this is going to change your life.
When we give demands like, “Get dressed. Hurry up. Put your toy away. Eat your dinner.” and more, our child feels resentful. Why do they not have a say in what we are going to do next?
Related: 7 easy ways to connect with your child
When you communicate with your child through the voice of a puppet, your child will feel relaxed. Puppets do not hold authoritative roles like grown-ups do.
Play creates connection
While you’re simultaneously achieving your desired result (like getting out the door on time) by using a puppet, you’re also creating a connection. A secure connection is key to positive parenting! Stress levels are naturally low when you and your child both feel connected.
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When my daughter was experiencing separation anxiety at school, The Kissing Hand
I use Chester all the time when I know I need a tool to achieve my own desired behavior.
Puppets are engaging
Do you want to know how to talk so kids will listen? When your child is engaged and focused on talking with the puppet he is talking to, he is not thinking about all the things he would rather be doing than listening to you. Win-win!
I remember a time I dreaded the evening because brushing my daughter’s teeth was always a struggle. When I came across these toothbrush “guys”
Suddenly, her guys were going to brush her teeth, not mommy and that was exciting! It became even more exciting when we added some super fun toothpaste
Look at this fun set up!
Need some dinner inspiration?
Additional resources on how to get your child to listen
Parenting books
Ah, parenting books. How I *wish* I had time to read and soak up the valuable information you carry. Thankfully, there’s Blinkist which allows exhausted, sometimes stressed out parents to consume in five to 15 minutes. Amazingly Blinkist carries some of the most AH-MA-ZING parenting books on the topic of parenting.
Some of the absolute best parenting books I recommend are:
- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
- The Whole-Brained Child
- Screamfree Parenting
If you have time to read one or all of these books, awesome! But, if you don’t but you still want a valuable summary of what each book contains, definitely check out Blinkist.
In closing
Punishment does not work. Puppets are your new secret weapon to desired behaviors! You now have a sure-fire solution on how to talk so kids will listen. Try it today and thank me later!
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That’s a neat idea! I’ve played Simon Says at bed time with my boys and they always listen without a fight! 🙂
I love that idea, too, Gabrielle. Thanks for sharing!
I love these ideas. My twins are still young, but this would be great to incorporate as they get older. I always want to check out some of the recommended books.