Most of us parents are concerned with getting our children to listen to us. I do not know how many times I have heard a parent exclaim in desperation: “She just won’t listen to me!” It is just as likely the parent is talking about a 2 year-old or a 15 year-old or anything in between! How can we get our children to actually listen, hear and digest the things we have to say to them? One of the ways is to truly say something interesting…
Now I am not talking tall tales and made up drama here or even flamboyant storytelling, I am just talking about watching out for ways that we might drone on or be so boring and uninspired that our children just don’t want to listen to us. If you go on and on like a broken record, chances are your child has tuned you out years ago and you are right, they really are NOT listening!
So, how can you be more interesting? Use fun and interesting vocabulary, mix up your parenting techniques to include some storytelling and a hearty sense of humor, and ask your child questions on a regular basis instead of always barking orders. Think of all the ways that you strive to be interesting when you are giving a presentation at work or out on the town with your friends—why not bring some of these very social skills into your parenting?
Think of those boring people and boring speakers that you know—the ones that when they speak all you hear is “blah blah blah” as you watch their mouths move and ask yourself if you are using any of their “tricks” when you talk to your kids. You do not have to sacrifice substance for flash but being a little more interesting may get your children to actually listen to you.