Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1227 - Why the Kids Don't Listen (R)

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Episode notes

If you've ever asked your child to do something—only to be met with silence, eye-rolls, or outright refusal—this episode is for you. Justin and Kylie dive into five surprising reasons why kids ignore us and share five powerful strategies to help them want to listen. With equal parts insight and humour, this episode offers real-world parenting advice that makes connection—not control—the goal.

KEY POINTS:

  • Kids often don’t listen because they don’t care about the task or see it as relevant to them.

  • Developmentally, children are egocentric and lack adult-level perspective.

  • Parents often forget to get their child’s attention before making a request.

  • Screentime, distractions, and habits of non-compliance can reduce responsiveness.

  • Being fun, patient, and involved can transform how children respond.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Be the kind of person your kids want to pay attention to.”

RESOURCES:

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

  1. Get your child’s attention before speaking—use touch, eye contact, and a calm tone.

  2. Be involved—where possible, do the task together rather than directing from afar.

  3. Use gentle reminders and accountability instead of repeating or yelling.

  4. Be patient—allow time between request and response before following up.

  5. Make it fun—add humour, creativity, and playfulness to your interactions to boost connection.

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