9 simple rules to get your kids to listen: 1. Don’t start talking until you have your child's attention. (Wait until they look at you. Look them in the eye. Then start talking) 2. Don’t repeat yourself.(If you've asked once and not gotten a response don't just repeat yourself.) 3. Use fewer words. You’ll definitely lose your child's attention by using too many words) 4. See it from his point of view.(It will help immensely if you can acknowledge how much he wants to keep doing whatever he's doing. “I know it's hard to stop playing now.....but I need you to...") 5. Engage cooperation.(No one wants to listen to someone who's giving orders; in fact it always stimulates resistance.) 6. Stay calm.(When we're emotional, Kids get distracted by our emotion) 7. Set up routines.(The more routines you have, the less you have to be a drill sergeant.) 8. Listen (If you stare at your computer screen while your child tells you about his day, you’re role modeling how communication is handled in your house.) 9. Maximize the loving, Happy interactions and minimize the orders By Dr Fadila Grine