Twenty times

[Samten2]

i am really tearing my hair out, I seem to have to ask my seven year old twenty times to do anything and he just ignores me. Then I end up shouting and feel really bad. I just dont know how to get him to listen. sometimes it works first time but today is awful.I just want to cry. I have been taking ages to get to understand this talk thing and worried about saying anything wrong but I hope this is Ok.

I don't think its too old for naughty step etc. I read somewhere that ask them once and if they don't do it, tell them that if they don't do it they'll go to the naughty step (or equivalent).

Hi Samten.

Why is he ignoring you?
If his hearing is OK, and he is just doing it out of rudeness, maybe you need to be a bit tougher with him.

If he's watching TV, turn the TV off.
If he's playing a computer game, pause it.

I think you could be right, I kind of expect him to ignore me now so it probably comes out wrong. When I am a bit tougher he seems to know I just get so tired it all gets to much somedays and i just want him to do it! If i turn off the tv he shouts alot and gets mad. I havent tried the naughty step thing yet.

Thanks

It's OK if he shouts a lot and gets mad.
Stick with it!

He has to learn that ignoring you has a consequence.
And if that consequence is something he dislikes (ie turning off the television) he will learn not to ignore you.

It's hard to be consistent when you're tired, but worth it in the long run.

I am the Mum of a seven year old and I can tell you that all us Mums sit outside the school gates and the number one topic is that our kids DON'T LISTEN!!!! I think it is entirely normal - especially in boys. They get so used to their Mums voices that they almost tune out. Some tips that help me:

Always make sure you are in the same room as then when telling them to do something - I was a great one for shouting to them from another part of the house.

Try to ensure you have eye contact with the child. I gently hold him under his chin to say something I want done.

Get him to repeat what it is you have asked.

My boy is very easily distracted - so I have to make instruction short and make sure the response is instant.

Good luck

NooBee

NooBee, I will try these tips on DH.

All 7 year old boys have selective hearing my defo does if its not what he wants to hear.

Actually so does his dad so I doubt he will grow out of it.I just shout louder to get heard