Can’t get your kids to listen the first time? 

Parenting expert Michelle McVittie joined Tim Bolen on Morning Live with four simple strategies to improve communication with your children and how to get them to listen.

Use Fewer Words

The first way to increase the likelihood of your children listening to you is by talking less.

“We talk too much. Children cannot process it. So just be really clear,” said McVittie, who is also the founder of Mom the Manager.

For example, just say “put your shoes on” instead of explaining why they need to put their shoes on and what will happen if they don’t.

Give Warnings

Rather than yelling three times from another room, McVittie recommended providing warnings.

This may look like giving two, three or five minute warnings before dinner is ready or telling your children they have to clean up when their TV show ends.

Create a Checklist

It’s common for parents to feel like they’re constantly nagging their children and telling them what to do.

Instead of verbally instructing them, McVittie said to make a checklist for children to follow. The tasklist may include putting their shoes away, hanging up their backpack and taking their lunch bag out.

Alter Your Expectations

The final way to get your children to listen to you is by changing your expectations.

McVittie said the values and expectations of a parent are much different than those of a child.

For example, you may tell your children to go to bed early or they’ll be tired the next day.

“That’s your value and kids don’t care,” she said. “Stick to what needs to be done and be clear. We don’t have to get into all of the explaining because the explaining doesn’t matter to them.”