Child Not Listening....

Kids around this age seem to go thru a NO stage. My 7yr has incorporated I DON'T KNOW into the whole NO thing. I have started to take away things she really wants to do until her attitude improves. It works most of the time. But some kids can't handle new transitions & situations as clearly as us adults so take it slow & try to talk to him as much as you can to get him to pass the bottled anger...

whisper. look him in the eye. let him know that you respect his words and that it is only fair that he listen and respects yours. that's the deal. if he needs time to "think about it" 2 minutes by himself is you enforcing this respect we all deserve. give him a big hug and tell him you truly love him. Mimi

One of my friends was having the same problem with her son when he was 4. She was at her wits end. Low and behold, she had his hearing checked and in fact, he was not hearing her! He had so much fluid (no infections to speak of), he was unable to hear. The ENT suggested ear tubes. He had the tubes and his hearing improved, (so did listening skills!) and also his speech. Good luck!

i don't know if this will help but, i felt like i 'lost control' when my little girl turned 5. she used to wear whatever i put on her and do what i said. when she turned 4 or 5...independance stepped in. she became very picky about hair and clothing especially! i guess i just took advise that was given to me...'choose your battles'. i let her make decisions that didn't impact her safety or health and now at 7, she has started to listen more and wear things she wouldn't 2 years ago....not exactly the same situation as you, but just thought I'd let you know it could just be a phase and things get better as they grow!

We had the same problem this year and we made a listening chart. Each day was divided into 5 sections (morning, getting ready for school, before quiet time, before dinner and bedtime) if my son wasn't listening I would give him a warning that he would lose his smiley, then if he chose not to listen, he would lose the smiley. At the end of the week we would look at the chart and put a penny on every smiley. We would then count how much he earned and change the pennies into nickles, dimes and quarters. His younger brother (3) also has a chart. They like to see how much money they have and there is now a consequence besides me yelling and sending them to their rooms. They are also learning how money works and how to save for something that they want.

You mentioned you are a teacher. Pick up a copy of "Parenting With Dignity". What are the consequences if he doesn't listen?
Use your child psychology you learned in college and you'll soon find your child listening to you once again.

Hi K. -
My kids started this at two, so your son is still an 'angel baby' LOL... You do need to keep a concern on this, but it depends on what he's not listening to - he's figured out that he has autonomy... free will if you like. This is where you pick your battles - but you do have to maintain the control - otherwise the next thing you know, you'll have a 16 year old that doesn't think they have to do anything you say (you've seen those kids!)
If he doesn't want to, say, wear a coat when you tell him to, then no one gets to go anywhere until the coat is on. This can be a problem if you actually have to be somewhere. If it's that he won't pick up his toys when he's told, then I found it really effective to pick them up and put them away where he doesn't get them back for a while.
Just keep in mind that physical force won't work when he's older, so if you force him to put the coat on (put it on for him) then you're setting yourselves up for 'loosing the war' when he's bigger and stronger than you are. If you let him get away with not obeying, you're setting him up to be a poor adult (what happens if you don't do what your boss at work tells you to?)
LOL..no one said it would be easy - they really make you work your brain!
Good Luck

I have a 51/2 year old.Its the age.They are challeneging your authority.He tries things on my husband,but not on me.(not listening,or ignoring him,bossing him around) I tell my hubby you must set rules and never give an inch. Unless you think he has a real hearing problem,then consult your doctor. Otherwise just another phase in child rearing and pray it passes soon.I feel children at this age are looking for giudance and bondries to help them know their roll in the family and what is expected from them in their daily life.Your not at all alone on the almost losing it.All Mothers feel that way somedays.
Good Luck
D

5 and 6 seem to be the ages of not listening. Although it doesnt make it right, they seem to be becoming a bit more independent and being told what, when and where by someone is not on their list of things to do. My oldest will be 6 in 4 weeks and she, along with every other kid her age is the same. The only thing I can suggest is make sure you stick to your punishments, if you threaten to take the TV away for the whole day the next time he blatantly ignores you, then make sure you follow through. Its harder than it sound I know, but if you do receive some better advice, PLEASE!!! send it my way!!! thanks and good luck

When my "little angel" went to kindergarten at age 5 he stopped listening too. Its probably just a phase of independence and/or he may possibly be jealous of the other child or a little insecure as to his place in the house now that there's another person or people there. Let him know he's still the same important person he was before and you want him to tell you when something's on his mind. My son's behavior also got terrible when the baby was born. He plain out told me, he was jealous. So just ask and reassure. :) Then set limits on the behaviors too!

Going through different phases is something all children go through. It can be overwhelming and frustrating for a parent when the sweet child begins to show their independence. It's important for you as the mother to set limits that the child can understand and is eager to be successful at. Be creative and fun with the new challenge. I've been through many stages as I am the mother of four(3 boys and 1 girl) children ranging in ages from young adult to 7 years old. I'm also a life coach and certified parent coach. Making a chart with stickers or stars or something your child loves is a great idea as another mother mentioned. A day of good behavior gets a new sticker or whatever the reward of choice determined by you and your child, and a day of challenges loses a reward. There are many ideas you can come up with together with your child which will help your child to learn that you will always be there to help him to work out issues he may be having. Ignoring the negative behavior sometimes works too but there are certain things you cannot ignore. Now is a great time to sit with your child and to discuss that the "not listening to mommy" is a problem that needs solving in order to keep him safe. He will most likely respond to this approach in ways that make you proud.