When you're out and your kids aren't listening

What do you do? I feel like I'm always giving them second chances to listen. But tonight I had enough. We went to a park BBQ for the rec department to give out trophies for basketball and soccer. I told both of my DS to wait on line with me to get their dinner and then they could go off and play. My older DS was off to the side talking to a friend one minute, then in the middle of the field playing the next. Obviously my younger DS took off and followed him. I was calling for them to come back, they both heard me, they both flat out ignored me. I finally got the hot dogs and started walking over. I got about half way and called for them again. Again they continued playing and didn't listen at all. I finally went all the way over to them and said let's go. I made them both leave. I'm so tired of them thinking they can do whatever they want. I let them both know that this is how it's going to be from now on. When we're out, if they can't follow the rules, then we leave. How do you all handle this?

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

Exactly what you did. They get it eventually.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

I do exactly as you do. I've pulled them off the tee ball field mid game & all. It's the only way to set the example

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

I give public timeouts, did it once in gymnastics class and DD was a saint every class after...

When you're out and your kids aren't listening

They get a time out. If they still don't listen, we leave.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

We leave or they lose a privilege
Warnings without follow through mean nothing

Message edited 6/6/2014 7:31:46 AM.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

I have done the same exact thing...if they don't listen after I talk to them once, then we leave.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

I did exactly what you did. It never happened again. I give one warning and they know I mean it.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

We went to Belmont Lake Park for my brothers birthday. My son (almost 4 at the time) was in an awful mood. Not listening. Finally I took him and my daughter (new to walking) for a walk. He started walking down to the water, fast, faster. I couldn't run after him with her, I couldn't leave her to run after him. I was screaming at him. He heard me. He just kept going. My husband ran after him. We told him that was it. He could have fallen in, could have drowned. He was to go back to the picnic tables and SIT there until we said he could move. He started walking back and then kept going to the playground - just kept walking.

We immediately packed up and took them both home after being there for 20 mins. We paid to park, hadn't eaten, had barely a chance to talk to anyone. It didn't matter, we had to reinforce what we said we would do (which was leave if he didn't listen).

He screamed the whole way home. He apologized that night.

Follow through!! Always!

When you're out and your kids aren't listening

You absolutely did the right thing!

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

As others said... exactly what you did.

When you're out and your kids aren't listening

Hard as it is to leave sometimes, I think you totally did the right thing. As others have said, the worst thing you can do is not follow through.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening

what you did I also now before we get out of the car wherever we are going I give the lowdown only staying blah blah, when I call you, you come, no yelling, talking back etc. if you follow directions we will all have a great time and stay the whole time!! It works pretty good the pep talk ahead.

Re: When you're out and your kids aren't listening