My son is 6 and he is giving me a hard time listening. I have been trying to give him more attention since our 5 month old arrived but its just inpossible to find the time to make every one happy. When I ask him a simple task like to eat his lunch or change his clothes (when dirty) he just ignores me, and if I push it he just shuts down. How do I get through to him? :-[

I also have a 6 year old boy and am 18 month old girl
I had a similar experience to you.. they are so used to having you to themselves that they really don't understand. I try to be gentle on my son and try not to lose my temper when he play's me up. If he needed to change his clothes I would suggest he picks out what he would like to wear and with food I always go for the special treat after he eats it all. I try to make special times for him even if it's a walk to the shops so he can buy sweets. And when my daughter goes to bed (always first) so that I have an hour to read a book with him or do some colouring.
Hope this helps
Tara :)

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Originally Posted by Ev

My son is 6 and he is giving me a hard time listening. I have been trying to give him more attention since our 5 month old arrived but its just inpossible to find the time to make every one happy. When I ask him a simple task like to eat his lunch or change his clothes (when dirty) he just ignores me, and if I push it he just shuts down. How do I get through to him? :-[

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To me, I found that a little smack makes wonders! Say "Can you please change your clothes" (if dirty) if he doesn't do as he's told in five minutes sternly say to him "(name of son) i told you five minutes ago to change, either listen or I'm going to have to smack you" wait another 5 minutes and if he hasn't changed take him into a quite room and give him a smack (not to hard though) and tell him that he has been naughty and the next time you ask him to change that he better do it or he will get another smack. I was risen p like this and I am so thankful that my mother did this. If she didn't I would have been in jail a few times. Trust me, discipline is key. Don't be guilty when you do smack your child, you are trying to teach him to listen and do as he is told. Make time for him and when he does do as he's told, reward and praise him. It worked for me, it'll work for you.

Well I've got 4 boys.. 15,13,8,4 . Everysingle one went through that.. apart from the 4yr old but I'm expecting a girl in a few weeks so most likely il be going through it again... as I was quite young when the 2nd one came I couldn't cope with the 1st one ignoring me so I had lots of famly and friends too help me but now I'm a pro... I make sure the child feels include right from when the new baby is born and I let the child help feed the baby and stuff