Hi All,

Is there any one else out there sick of repeating themselves all day long ???

I am in desperate need of any tips to get my 3.5 year twins to to listen.

I seem to be saying the same old thing day in and day out. When I tell them not to do something I can sometimes repeat myself once twice three times, by the end of the day I get sick of my own voice.

It's driving me nuts.

Joel and Cam have developed 'deaf ears' as well! Weve recently tried lowering our voices and speaking more quietly when we want them to do something instead of taking it up a notch.....so far seems to be having better results. (also making sure we have their attention-getting down to their level and looking them in the eye so theres no doubt that theyve heard)

Hi there, yep... I know what you mean!! I try not to shout, but to repeat myself firmly and then if that fails I start to count to 5. If they haven't done what I've asked them to by then, they have time out on the time out chair in our dining room. But you know what... I get so sick of being patient and sounding like a teacher all day! I used to be a teacher and now I'm a mum at home and still using my 'teacher voice' to be calm and firm! Yuck! But I've found with my boys (also about 3.5) that I have to be so firm and quietly sound like I mean business or it's just bedlam. Mind you... even on the days when I'm trying to be really calm and patient it can still be bedlam. Sigh... I think I'll go and finish my glass of wine!
Cheers, Maycee

Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)

I don't have twins/triplets but noticed your post and
Just wondering if this might help
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/CFForum/vi...&srow=1&erow=15
and/or
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/CFForum/vi...08&Topic=133027
which is about 'help me not smack', which has good ideas on alternatives to smacking/yelling/frustration...

We use the 'don't say no' approach regularly
ie instead of 'don't stand on the chair'
try 'sit down on the chair'
or
instead of 'don't whinge'
try 'use your words please, you've got great words'
(which not only avoids the use of the word 'no' but has praise in there too)
(some of this is in the last link/post)
HTH

Happy Parenting!
Kristy - cloth nerd (27)
Michael - awesome Daddy & partner of 13 years (29), DD Brooke James Grace 27/08/99, DS Jake Graeme Neville 17/11/01 , DS Zeke Machaiah Vincent born 27/03/05, less than 30 min labour - welcome little man!