How To Get Our Children To Listen

As parents we often wonder how to get our children to listen. There is an old saying I remember my grandfather saying to me when I had my first child. Grandpa said "When they are little, they will step on your toes. When they are grown, they will step on your heart". To this day, his words have stuck with me. My grandpa is 90 years old to date and still going strong with words of wisdom about parenting. I want to share some of the knowledge I have acquired from him with my children through the years.

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Children are easier when they are younger but when they start to develop minds and opinions of their own, it can become difficult at best.  Many times, children think it should be their way or no way. Life is not that simple and everyone knows it.

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The best way to get your child to listen is by listening. Listen to your child and let them express their thoughts and opinions to you. Good or bad no matter who is at fault they need to have their say. Have an open mind where your child is concerned. Their feelings are very important and parents need to listen. When your child comes to you about something they or you have done, have an open mind and let them get what they think out. Keeping it bottled up inside will do them more harm than good.

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Once they have finished complaining or expressing their concerns, take a deep breath and calmly say, "Now it is my turn to talk". Make your child understand you have heard them and actually listened. However, you must stand your ground and let them know showing you respect is first on the list. Talking calmly about problems is beneficial to both parent and child.

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Often times parents make the mistake of yelling and screaming with children. This does not work and makes things worse as time goes on. A shouting match brings out words that hurt both parent and child. Once the words are said you can not take them back. You will only regret it and most likely will not forgive yourself.

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Children need to know, that no matter what they have done or what the parent has done there is still love and understanding. Without this you will not have a good relationship with your children. Children make mistakes but so do parents. Before you consider yelling at your child, think back to when you were a teenager, enough said.