Communicate Better to Get Your Child to Obey
The Parent Institute
The better you communicate with children, the more likely they will comply with requests.
The next time you want your child to do something, make sure you:
Make eye contact. Stop whatever you’re doing. Get down where you can look into your child’s eyes. Then make your request.
Use a simple command - not a question. Don’t say, “Do you think you should take your bath now?” Say instead, “Time for your bath.”
Praise your child when she does what you ask. Thank him for listening and cooperating. Try the “if-then” or “when-then” technique. For example, “When you’re done with your homework, then you can play.”
If your child doesn’t cooperate, talk about other ways you can help him to cooperate.