How familiar is this scene in your household: Child watching TV, playing video games, on the computer, talking on the phone, etc., and you’re wanting their attention to alert them to something like, “time for dinner,” “pick up your clothes,” etc.

Often times the child is fully engaged in their activity of choice and don’t/can’t hear a parent’s call. Logic says if a child can’t hear us, we should just speak louder or yell. Eventually a child breaks their focus to the yelling of a parent who may or may not be fuming at this point. The child may be very confused why mom or dad is “buggin’ out,” and may also react to this negative tone by yelling back or being disrespectful. Read the rest of this entry »