- Make eye contact
Having a conversation with your husband while you cook dinner and he sits on the couch in the other room works because you have vital neurological skills to do so; mainly peripheral awareness and multi-tasking.
Psychology Today reported:
“Research has shown that kids engaged in an activity, such as playing, reading, or gaming, often do not register other aspects of their surroundings. They lack what is called “peripheral awareness.
In short, it is nearly impossible to have your child listen when they are not even registering you talking in their brain.
Get right in front of your child, ask them to look you in the eyes, saying you have something to tell them, and then slowly and calmly state your request or directive.
You will be amazed how effective this is in the response you are given from your child who seemed oblivious to your existence a moment before.