How do I get my 8 year old son to listen?

[Howdoimakean8yearoldlisten]

Just this. Tried consequences, explaining, rewards. Separately and combined. He just does not listen/do what he has been told to do. Can do it, so I don’t think any major underlying issue. Friendly, happy, lucky to live in a safe area so out and about rather than on screens.

What do school say?
If you threaten a punishment do you follow through with it every time?

Can you give some examples of what you're asking and what actually happens?

Sometimes I know I have too high expectations of my kids and expect them to think and work like adults so need to give them more support or more specific instructions

Thanks. It can be an issue at school. Bright, enjoys it and not disruptive, but when the class is asked to do something he will often start late.

It feels like it is happening with many areas. Told not to go on the road with his scooter. He did anyway and it was removed with a clear explanation why. All the way down to getting distracted and not putting shoes on for school this morning so we were late. Will oversee it tomorrow and aim to be out the house five minutes before we need to be.

I don't know the answer but have the same problem

Kinda sounds normal tbh.

My son was the same. Well, often still is, even in his 20s. He didn’t get the ADHD diagnosis until nearly adulthood, but looking back, signs were there.

Lovely bright lad, meant to do what he was told but was away with the fairies a lot of the time. Would get distracted with just one shoe put on, always running late because he got distracted.

I found if I touched him lightly on the arm before speaking to him it would bring his attention back to earth, so to speak, so that helped a lot.

Thanks for the replies.

I do follow through with consequences. But also don’t want him to spend a lot of time in trouble.

I do make him stop and look when I talk to him (if it is an instruction), also touch him on the shoulder to make sure he turns/listens.