what is the best way to get my daughter (21 months) to listen?

Question

If I want her to do something (like eating her dinner) should I keep repeating or just ask 2 or 3 times and then stop trying?

Answer 1

If you really need her to listen for something important, get down on her level and look at her and tell her firmly, but gently what you need to. Do not keep repeating yourself or make false threats because that is just going to encourage bad behaviour, especially in public when she knows you will not follow through. Tell her no more than 2 times when you want her to do something. If she doesn't listen, put her in a naughty corner. Usually it is 1 minute for every year in age they are.

But, don't stress over dinner. If she's hungry, she will eat. If she doesn't, just wait until she tells you she is hungry. But, when she gets older, tell her that it is dinner time and that it is time to eat. If she doesn't then make her wait until the next meal to eat.

Answer 2

DO NOT NAG! Just say something once and let it be. If she doesn't eat, and isn't done by the time you're done (or by a specific deadline), then take her food away. She'll get the idea soon enough and start eating faster. And, if she doesn't, she won't starve. But, don't let her snack all day, or she won't eat at dinner and this won't work because she won't be hungry and won't care.

For very important things, have her stand in front of you, with her hands folded and look you in the eye. Then, keep your statement short and to the point. Have her repeat it back to you (best she can), so you know she heard.

Answer 3

Get down to her eye level and talk to her. sometimes an incentive works too. a sticker chart and if she eats her dinner all week have a special outing with her.
you could take her favorite toy away too if she doesnt listen but i trye
d that and ended up with a bedroom full of toys :))
have you ever watched super nanny or nanny 911? i learn a lot from those shows

Answer 4

keep repeating. Ignoring a problem is just as bad as giving her permission. If she will not listen she can have a 2 minute time-out (you will probably have to hold her).

Answer 5

Ask a 2 to the times and then pop her little hand and say do you hear me and make her do it it that simple she is just a year and a half but she is not to young to get her hand poped. If you don't get her to listen and be obedient know later is go be to late.

Answer 6

Boy, talk about lame answers. It's the Boogieman, not the buggy man. http://www.angelfire.com/ia/eightballsboogieman/

By example. When she talks to you, stop and listen. Remember the attention span is limited. Don't expect her to get into 20 minute discourses over dinner.

Answer 7

You have to be firm and strong with her after all you are the adult and she is the child, put your foot down and let her know who is boss and who runs the house. The problem with kids today is that they don't know there place, they tell there parents what to do, instead of vise versa. You have to get them early while they are young. Because if you dont she is going to be horrible and unbearable when she gets older!

Answer 8

Tell her if she does not eat that the buggyman(bad person)will come and take her avay.If that is to scary,then just tell her once and don't repeat,when she will be hungry she will ask for food.

Answer 9

my great niece is 23 months.....and is acting the same way and if you keep repeating your self it looks bad.....but then i see other people doing the same with there (charges)...but her 4 year old sister did the same thing thank god she grew out of it...

Answer 10

Kids that age will eat when they are hungry. It's not complicated. Offer it, if she doesn't eat it, forget about it. Offer it later, or when she cries.