Number one top concern of parents, hands down of any aged child is: How do I get my child to listen? Here's some tips to think about getting your child to listen the first time. Number one is give your child's attention first before giving them directions. Some kids need a little transition time, particularly boys. "In a minute I'll be needing your attention please, so get ready." Third is make sure that when you give directions to a child, it's a statement with a period following it, not a question mark. This is something you want your child to do. Another one that's interesting is to lower your voice, not raise it. Kids are thrown off when you automatically start using a much, much quieter voice. They can't believe you're using a quieter voice and then they actually listen. Give them a rewind method. Give your direction, and then say, "Now please tell me back what I just said," to make sure you're on board together. And finally, make sure you're a model of good listening. If you want your child to listen, then do something profoundly important. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen twice as much as you talk and your child will be more likely to listen to you as well.