I am getting so tired of Emma not listening to me. I ask her to pick up toys she completely ignores me. I tell her to stay by me at a store she runs the other way. It is down right frustrating to me. Is it a phase or is she really just disobeying me purposely.

I don't know, but I hate it too. If it weren't for the fact I could whisper "want some candy?" two rooms over and he come running, I'd swear Ethan were deaf. I'm so tired of being ignored and having my limits pushed.

Kris, what do you do when she doesn't listen? For instance, instead of just asking her to pick up toys and giving her the opportunity to play deaf and dumb, why not take her hand, lead her to the toys and say "please help me pick these up so no one falls and gets hurt"

Madelynn doesn't listen very often either, or she acts like a teenager and says no, I don't want to. :rolleyes: Having a 3 year old is so much fun. :lol:

Its awful like I tell her to help me clean up her stuff she says "no just throw it away" I am about to take all her toys and do just that. I should be posting this is the Misery forum.

Anne if I do that she won't I have tried and tried. I won't turn the TV on until she cleans up but that doesn't bother her. She is one smart cookie. Time Outs don't work she won't stay in one place and even if she did she would find something there to do. I guess it is a good thing but so frustrating.

If Riley doesn't pick up her toys, they go into a "toy timeout" and then she has to earn them back. If she runs in the store, I duck behind someplace where she can't see me. It doesn't sound like time outs are working, and therefore she isn't learning there are consequences to her actions. Different things work for different kids and you just have to keep trying, keep talking and keep working until you find something that makes her understand what is expected of her.

Kris --i am right there with you. aidan used to care when we took his toys away. very recently, he has adopted an 'i dont care' attitude. its so freaking frustrating. especially when he just looks at me and laughs in my face. AHHHHHH

I'm having the same problem. I wish I had an answer.

Dr. Phil says (OK I don't really agree with him on parenting matters) to take away their currency which does make sense but what if they don't have one? I mean their isn't one or two things that I could take away that would get her attention.

*Everyone* has something that's important. You just have to figure out what it is.

*Everyone* has something that's important. You just have to figure out what it is.

I use to believe this until I met Emma. I have been trying and trying and trying..........

Remember, it may not be a physical tangible "thing" like a particular toy or whatever. It might be you reading stories to her at bedtime - then that stops. Or it might be eating off a special character plate at dinnertime - it gets stored in the cabinet. Try thinking of stuff just outside of her toys.

:) Ok I wasn't thinking that thanks will try some of those suggestions.

Rocking with her at bedtime. She loves that I think I may try that one out.

Try it and STICK WITH IT!!!! And explain it very clearly to her each time - "No, Emma, we won't be rocking tonight because you hit Adam and threw your toys. Maybe on a day when things go a little better we'll be able to rock. Goodnight!"

My perfect little angel has started doing this yeasterday, and today when I told her to pick up the clothes she threw on the floor she said "no mommy, YOU pick it up"...omg, where did she get that attitude from??? Anyway, we couldn't find anything that would work except we put her in her bed tucked in and make her lay down for 2 1/2 minutes (cause she's 2 1/2)...the room is dark, even in the day time, and she hates it... So it's working...well kind of, she got out of bed, said she was sorry, and picked up the clothes...but she went back to bed a few minutes later for not listening when we told her not to unwrap the roll of wrapping paper on the floor 3 times...

I hope you find something that works, Kris. You just have to try different things like Shel and Anne said...see what works and stick with it. Consistency is key! Anyway, I'm one of the lucky ones I guess in that Alexia has always listened. Even when she doesn't want to, she will cry but she will still put away her toys, etc. When I tell her ok, thank you. She'll even tell me I'm not done yet....I have to put this away. :lol: We've just never had a problem with her not listening. :dunno: The worst we probably had was a "No, I don't want to."...trying to test me and being a little stubborn about it. In return I tell her in a stern voice to do whatever it is I"m wanting her to do and she does it..."Alexia, please put your toys away NOW." I always thank her afterwards and give her a big hug and kiss and let her know what a 'great listener' she is (usually I do this during the times in which she has tried to test me).

Does she like to drink from a favorite cup? I know Alexia carries her Dora water bottle around with her everywhere. If she does, maybe take that away. She needs to know that you mean business and that you will follow through. Good luck!