How to Handle Kids That Don't Listen

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How to Handle Kids That Don't Listen

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Dr. Neha Mehta

Consultant Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Professional

Published 22 Jun, 2022

Have you ever had a child that doesn't listen? It's hard to know how to handle kids that don't listen. You want them to understand, but it seems like they don't care whether they understand what you are saying or not. If your child is used to always getting their way, you might start wondering why they don't listen to you anymore. This happens when we show negative emotions to our kids. By not setting boundaries, we're teaching children how to give up authority, control and power over themselves and others. The desire to get your point across is seemingly greater than their desire to do what you ask. How do you handle this situation? Let us first know what are the reasons why kids don't listen -

Reasons Why Kids Don't Listen

1. They Don't Listen Because They Have Other Priorities

Kids have a lot of things going on in their heads, and when they're not paying attention to you, they're thinking about something else. They may be trying to figure out how to get away with something or make a decision about something else - like which video game to play next or whether they want to watch TV or play outside. So, this could be a major cause of why kids don't listen.

2. Kids Don't Listen Because They Don't Understand What You're Saying

Teaching children how to pay attention and focus on what you say is one of the most important skills parents can teach them. But as kids get older, they become more aware of their environment and find it easier to tune out what adults are saying if it doesn't interest them or doesn't make sense."

3. They Don't Know What To Do

To listen, you have to understand something first. You have to understand the subject and then you can follow the instructions and answers that are given in class or by teachers. If you don't know anything about the subject, then how could you ever understand anything? So, one of the major reasons why kids don't listen may be that they don't know what to do.

4. They Don't Want To Do It

One of the major causes of why kids don't listen is that they don't want to do it. Kids who are lazy or rebellious cannot help themselves from doing things which are not good for them. So if parents give them too many privileges like playing video games, and watching TV all day long instead of studying or working, then they will never learn anything and therefore they will also never listen when it comes time for doing homework assignments or exams.

5. They Aren't Sure of What is Expected of Them

It's important to have a clear set of rules and expectations. If your kids aren't sure what they are supposed to be doing, then they won't know how to do it. It's better to give them a clear set of instructions than leave them guessing. You may need to make some adjustments as your child grows older and become more independent, but for now, keep it simple and consistent so that your child knows what is expected of her/him.

6. They Are Distracted by Something Else (Television, Computer Games, Etc.)

Many things can distract a child from listening to you. Some children think that their parents are just wasting time by asking them questions or talking about something when in fact these conversations could be very important! Once again, it's best if you try and make sure that your child knows why he/she needs to listen before you ask him/her anything else.

7. They're Too Busy to Pay Attention

Kids are naturally in a state of constant movement, so they have very little patience for boring tasks. They will do whatever they can to get out of them as quickly as possible. That might include ignoring what you've just said or throwing tantrums when they realize that their way is no longer an option.

Tips To Handle Kids That Don't Listen

1. Don't React

Kids don't want to be yelled at or yelled at, so try not to react, but instead focus on the problem. If you know that your child is going to act out and get into trouble, try to anticipate what they're doing and make sure they don't do it again. This will also help you to know how to make stronger relationships with parents and children.

2. Be Consistent

It's important that parents set firm rules for their children because kids tend to feel more confident when they know what is expected of them and how their parents will respond if they disobey these rules or break other rules as well. Being consistent is a very important part of parenting.

3. Try Using Time Out If They Need It

But only if they need it! If they only need a couple of days out of your kids' lives, then that's okay but if it's going on for weeks or months then maybe take them away from the TV and give them some space from all the "bad" influences around them for a while so that they can think about what they've done wrong, apologise and learn from their mistakes! This is a great technique to make your child listen.

4. Talk to Them Like They're Adults

Talking to them like they are adults is a great tip to make your child listen and will also help you with how to increase confidence in shy kids. You can't always expect a child to listen to what you say, especially when their minds are occupied with other things. So start talking directly to their intelligence and not their emotions or their hormones.

5. Give Rewards For Good Behavior

Kids love rewards! If your child is at risk of misbehaving because they're bored or frustrated, try offering them something fun like a movie or game if they behave well during the day (or anytime really). This will help keep your children engaged and focused on good behaviour instead of bad habits like whining or running away from home. Giving rewards for their good behaviour is one of the best tactics to make your child listen.

6. Be Patient and Respectful

Kids will never listen if you're impatient or disrespectful. So try not to get frustrated when your child doesn't respond to your instructions or reminders. Instead, stay calm and respectful and let them know how much you love them. This will make them feel loved too, which will make them more likely to listen in the future. So, do not forget this tip to make your child listen.

7. Give Them a Choice

Giving them a choice is a great technique to make your child listen. When your child doesn't want to do something, ask him why he doesn't want to do it. If he can't give you an answer, then let him choose for himself whether he wants to do it or not. This way you can teach him the value of having choices and of making decisions in life. And ultimately, learn how to raise Successful Kids.

8. Allow Them Time

If your child has a meltdown or is being disruptive at school and won't stop talking, then let her take a break from classes and talk with you later when she's calm again. She may be frustrated that she can't talk about what's bothering her right now but will soon feel better after taking a break from classes and talking with you about it later on. Giving them time to understand things is one of the best tips to make your child listen.

9. Find What Works For Your Child

Finding out what works for your child is one of the best tactics to make your child listen. And once you find something that works consistently rather than sticking to it, you want it to become a habit for them. It may take some time at first but I guarantee if you stick with it that one day it'll become second nature for them and they're more likely to do it without you even asking them to. This also doesn't mean that every time they aren't by your side or doing what they're supposed to its a time out, if you running errands or going to the store then yes is a good time to remind them but if your watching tv or reading a book or just hanging out then it's not. This tip will also help you to know better about How to handle kids that don't listen.

Conclusion

Some kids are just more willful than others, and the parent's job is to teach discipline. If the child knows what is expected of him, then he will usually do better. Many children are bored at home with nothing to do. They need a variety of toys to keep them busy and most kids like to play with their parents because they demand less attention than many toys. Do things that your child enjoys as you discipline her, such as reading a book or playing a game together. I hope now you are clear about How to handle kids that don't listen. If you are unable to make your child listen then you can also go for recruiting child counselling. It will help your child to learn and understand things quicker.