Comments on: Selective Deafness Affects 5 out of 5 Children

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:10:21 +0000

Love your answer, Heather. I also agree with mommytime. Once when my preschool child was throwing her usual fit in the grocery, I picked her up and left behind the cart full of groceries and some treat that she wanted. She COULD NOT believe it and the threat of leaving after that usually worked. But every child is different . . . .

By: Coco

Coco — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:05:37 +0000

While I know it is not always possible to leave the kids with a sitter I found that to be my salvation. It was impossible for me to shop with my kids. I would be totally worn out trying to keep up with the oldest because she was a daredevil and knew no fear.

I found that I got my shopping done a lot faster and was a lot less stressed out. It was so worth the money. Maybe you could check your local churches for a Mommy’s Day Out. This could be the perfect time for you to shop and have a little me time as well.

Good luck.

Coco

By: the mama bird diaries

the mama bird diaries — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:14:54 +0000

Brilliant answer.

I always promise my kids a treat if they can behave. But mostly i try to go to the grocery store without them.

By: MommyTime

MommyTime — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:54:23 +0000

My children are the same ages as yours, and they seem to share the ears yours have. I have threatened to leave stores, the pool, etc., when that kind of not-listening happens — AND I FOLLOW THROUGH. I don’t make the threat if I can’t follow through (i.e. if we must finish the shopping trip), but I have found that having twice followed through on leaving, even though it was somewhat inconvenient to me, has helped impress upon them that good behavior is essential.

Not that they actually behave.

But they know they are expected to, and sometimes that helps. Good luck. Sending solidarity.

By: The Laughing Idiot

The Laughing Idiot — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:20:57 +0000

I have a three year old red-head with the stereotypical temperment to match.

She just never seems to take me seriously either. When shopping, if she isn’t listening she has to sit in the “baby” seat. I don’t care how big she is, I strap her in.

By: Sophie, Inzaburbs

Sophie, Inzaburbs — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:07:07 +0000

I keep my children quiet through the produce with the promise of a muffin, which keeps them quiet through the meat, dairy and liquid aisles. Then we move onto the “you can look at toys if you are good” aisles. After the toys, my 2 year old is the one running loose around the store while the others provide the not always pleasant soundtrack.
If anybody raises their eyebrows, I give them a pleasant “hello” in my hoity-toity British accent and that usually scares them away.

As far as making them listen? Good luck with that.

By: Andrea's Sweet Life

Andrea's Sweet Life — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:27:41 +0000

I totally let my 2 year old poke holes in the peaches at the grocery store. Just not the peaches I am buying.