Selective deafness - any suggestions???

[sjcmum]

DD1 is 2 and a half and is being very selectively deaf at the moment. I ask her questions or tell her to do things about 5 or 6 times, and get no response at all. I try not to let it get to me, but especially when I'm tired, or trying to get out of the house etc, it drives me nuts. And if dd2 (aged 6 weeks) kicks off at the same time, it is even worse. Eventually I get more annoyed and she looks at me as if I'm mad, and doesn't realise why I'm cross with her! Occasionally she doesn't respond because she is really absorbed in what she is doing - but most of the time - she just doesn't respond......

Any suggestions to help me keep my sanity???

Short of helpful suggestions but my DH is exactly the same, so any advice greatly received

I don't really understand what you are describing I'm afraid .

Has she always been like this or is it recent?
Does she seem genuinely unaware that you are calling her or not? How does she interact with you otherwise? When you talk to her does she look at you and understand. And is it just you? Are you sure she can hear you?

DD (same age) is also "selectively deaf" and it drives me insane!

If I ask DD to either do something that she doesn't want to do, or not to do something that she wants to do, she'll pretend she didn't hear me. I don't know if this is the same as with your DD1? (sounds a little bit more like daydreaming in your OP)

FWIW, a strategy that I use with DD is to get her to acknowledge that she's heard what I've said.

So for example:

Me: "DD, get down please"
DD:
Me: "DD, get down please"
DD
Me: "DD, Mummy said get..."
DD: "down please"
Me "That's right. So do what mummy said please"
DD:

Doesn't work every time, but does most of the time with us.

The other strategy is list what I need her to do, followed by nice things that she likes that will follow - so e.g.

"time for a nappy change, then coat and hat, then shops" (DD loves the supermarket!! )

Don't know if any of that is relevant to you, but thought I'd share anyway!!

Servalan thanks for tips - sounds similar to what I do but. I know that she would respond in a flash if I asked her if she wanted a chocolate biscuit or something!!!! It is definitely more often with the things she doesn't want!!!

Floozles - thanks for making me - I wonder if she does get this trait from my DH - as he is similar too!!!!