Why do 3 years olds not listen....or is that just my son??!!!!

[Hunty]

Hi, I feel i am constantly on at my son, he is in his own dream world half the time......if I ask him to do something he pretends not to hear and I repeat myself until I get cross...he then seems to take my request seriously! He is at a local pre school which he loves and he has no problems there, only ever time he goes and comes back he is sillier than ever, doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it and not listening. I am strict with him and am constantly on his back.....and to be honest i hate it, I feel I am a nagging mother, even though I just want to bring my son up as well as I can........do children ever start listening, is this just an age thing? regards Hunty;-)

It's because his brain takes a certain amount of time to process what you said - but halfway through, you say it again. So he has to start all over again, thinking about what you said - then you say it again, and the cycle continues.

Get his attention by saying his name first, and don't say anything else until he is properly attentive, it is pointless.

It is an age thing BTW, three year olds don't listen.

Told my three year old that his brains were made of cheese today because I had told him so many times to not touch the christmas tree.

He giggled for a bit then said "what is brains?" and I realised my mistake and went into the whole cycle of 'why' questions...

What coldtits said, but make sure you're sat in front of him with eye contact when you do it too.
Theyre easily distracted. To them the world is AMAZING!!

I'd write, "this sounds like my dh", but he's sitting within arm's reach and can see the screen

Thanks guys, i will try the name thing and wait for eye contact.......I guess I need to be more patient when instructing...but sometimes life does not allow this!!!! Sorry to be a little thick, but i am new to this what do all the appreviations mean eg: BTW and dh??? Sorry!

btw = by the way
dh = dear husband (may be said more or less sarcastically )

welcome aboard. there's a list of abbreviations up somehwere near the top of your screen...

Thanks phdlifeneedsanewlife, just found it and am trying to print copy so i can learn quickly! x

just hang out on MN long enough, you'll soon get the hang!

Hunty, if you don't have time to be patient, trick him.

Race him to something you need doing quickly, with a big grin on your face. Challenege him to do something he'd normally say he can't etc