It can be so irritating when we try to teach our children something and they don’t listen. But what can be even more annoying is when we try to teach them something, they don’t listen and then they hear it from someone else and tell you this awesome new thing they learned.

I know how annoying this can be to people because I have done it to my mentors, my boyfriend and other people in my life that try to teach me new things and often times I don’t listen until I hear it from someone else at a later time.

Whenever I do this, I always remind the person that is annoyed with me that when the student is ready the teacher appears. It’s not that I purposefully try to annoy these people or that I am just dismissive of the information they are offering. Sometimes I’m just not ready to hear it. Sometimes I need to hear it from someone else. And other times, I need it presented in a different way.

A lot of times, we talk at people, especially our children. I know we mean well. Of course we do. We know something that will help our children and we want them to avoid the pain we went through to obtain that knowledge. We want their journey to be smoother than ours.

Remember: our children are little people. Sometimes we look at kids like someday they will become people someday, but they already are. We need to honor and respect them for who they are.

I’d like to share four tips (and a bonus one) I heard from the YouTube Channel Live on Purpose TV on how to talk so kids will listen.

Tip #1: Language – Depending on their age, children don’t have the same vocabulary that we do as adults so we want to pick words and phrases that are suitable for their age.

Tip #2: Level - Get down on their level. For smaller children, get down on the ground with them. Don’t be the giant, towering adult because that can be scary, or intimidating depending on the topic.

Tip #3: Lean in- When you lean in closer to them, your energy level is different. And don’t just physically lean into them but mentally lean in as well.

Tip #4: Light up - When we listen to someone speak in a monotone voice, it’s boring! Kids are even more susceptible to our energy and emotions and if you’re lecturing them or speaking in a monotone voice, they are going to tune right out.

Bonus Tip #5: Listen – Remember, you don’t like when people are talking at you and don’t listen to what you have to say in return. We do this far too often to our children. If someone did this to me long enough, I’d start tuning them out too.

Finding a good support system for things you’re struggling with is a critical part to your growth.  If you’re looking for a community of moms who are also looking to eliminate guilt from their lives and parent from a place of gratitude and love, join my Facebook group here. I am passionate about helping busy moms determined to enjoy every day, love on their kids more and feel freedom in their life. Don’t settle for the status quo; you deserve so much more.

Until next time,

Alysia
Mom Support Coach