How do I get my three year old son to listen?

Question

I love my son dearly but for the past 3 weeks he doesn't listen. I can say his name a million times and he won't even look at me. It's not his hearing because to test it I whispered "doctors" to him and he looked up and said "doctors"? He hates the doctors, but anyway. I have tried everything I can think of to get him to start listening. I've explained that he needs to listen to mommy and daddy because we love him and we want him to be safe. He agrees but seems to forget. I've tried timeouts and he cries and doesn't want to go there but the second I let him off and explain what he did and why he was in there he's back to doing it again. My husband and I work full time and he is in child care all day but they say he is great and they never have a problem with him. I just want to know if anyone has advice, for one it drives me nuts and two we want him to be safe. Also we have started a reward chart for everytime he listens. That has been up for about 2 weeks and only one star.

Answer 1

First, remember that this is just a stage.  And second, I say get some parenting books.....They help reinforce the positives....

Answer 2

Kids (even adults) have selective hearing.

maybe keep in in time out for longer?

I have a 3 year old son also, and he hates timeout. if he is dong something he shouldn't I give him a warning., if he continues I say, "Right Mummy is going to count to 3, and then timeout if you don't listen" At 2, he will stop :)

Could be also a stage he is going through.

I know you are concerned or his safety,and its hard, but maybe ignore him when he is doing it, or start doing the same to him. When he wants something and is saying mummy, ignore as he does too you. Once you begin doing that, he will hate it, so maybe will stop :)

Answer 3

I can only suggest watching a TV show calle: "Nanny 911"

They deal with little incorrigible kids who are the "children from h**l" and parents worst nightmare.  Often and it's the parents who have to change in order to change their child.

I strongly suggest to see if you can watch some of them on line or re-runs . . .will give you lots of ideas . . .good ideas without using any kind of force/violence (which is a no-no). Having said that, you have to have boundaries & rules with consequences.  Nanny 911 will show you.

Answer 4

go down to his level in height and bow your head and look at him in the eye in a stern way. say, listen to mummy, then what ever you say. then say ok? also do this very slowly