Stop Repeating Yourself Over And Over
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If you have to repeat yourself a thousand times before your kids listen, then this message is for you… (and me, because to be honest, I could use a little refresher in this area…)
The other night, I was in bed reading around 9pm. Sloane was fast asleep and all I could hear was Nate and Ruby giggling, then laughing, and then full on hysterics. Seriously??? I was SO annoyed. All I wanted was some peace and quiet and NOT to have Sloane awake asking why the big kids are always allowed to stay up later than her.
I had already whisper- yelled at them from my bed like five times, and now I was angry. I marched down the stairs, screamed at them, and sent them to their rooms.
“Why do you do this every night? I constantly ask you to be respectful and you guys just do whatever you want. GO TO BED!”
Then, I went back upstairs to my room and felt awful. First of all, shouldn’t I be happy that my 12 and 14 year old get along so well? Aren’t I grateful for their late-night antics that cement their friendship?
Yes, BUT… I also really like to go to bed early. That’s important to me. I don’t want Sloane up. That’s also a huge one. I want to allow them to hang out and have their time together, but not if it disturbs the rest of us.
What should I have done instead of waiting until hitting my boiling point and screaming at them?
BEFORE they went to hang out, I should have set up some parameters on noise.
BEFORE they got to an insane level, I should’ve dragged my butt out of bed and walked downstairs and nicely asked them to quiet down.
I also could’ve been more proactive and asked them to hang out in the basement, so that Sloane and I would not be disturbed.
Can’t win them all, but I hope I will get in front of this tonight.
If you feel like your kids never listen to you, here are some examples of how you can alter your delivery when speaking to your kids.
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