How to motivate your kids to listen

If you struggle getting your kids to listen and follow through with even the simplest tasks, then this one’s for you!

It can be SO frustrating to feel like you're being ignored or to be met with constant whining, so in this video, we discuss strategies to motivate your kids to listen without resorting to threats or nagging.

We start by emphasizing the importance of LEADING WITH CONNECTION.

We should recognize that our kids’ lack of listening is often a skill deficit, not an act of defiance. 

They aren't trying to annoy or hurt us, but instead, they’re likely just preoccupied or aren’t on the same timeline as us. 

So let’s try to approach these situations as a TEAM. 

We shouldn’t be there just to enforce rules. We should work together to tackle whatever problem there is. 

It can be SO helpful to start by involving ourselves in THEIR world before expecting them to involve themselves in ours… even if it’s just for a minute.

Sitting with them and showing a genuine interest in what THEY’RE doing can make a huge difference in getting them on board with what WE want them to do. 

This kind of connection will open up the pathway for better communication, because when children feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re going to be more likely to listen.

From our parenting toolkit:

To effectively encourage our kids to listen, it’s imperative to connect with them first and teach them how to take a pause in their busy lives. 

One effective way to teach this skill is through playful mindfulness, and The Happy Hearts Board Game from Mindful & Co is perfect for this! It encourages calm thoughts and actions, increases cognitive flexibility, and brings joy and laughter to the whole family. 

Together, you’ll practice yoga poses, pick ‘Happy Cards’ to share personal things about yourself, practice belly breathing, and learn techniques for calming and energizing yourself. 

Starting mindfulness and co-regulation practices early with a caregiver increases the likelihood that our kids will be able to self-regulate using these learned tools and strategies in the future!

We hope you’ll love Mindful & Co as much as we do! Use the code HAPPYHUMANS10 for 10% off your order!

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