One of the most frustrating parts of parenting is when your child won’t listen to you. It can be difficult to tell the difference between when your child is ignoring you and when they can’t pay attention to you.

If reading this is already stressing you out, take a deep breath — this episode is here to help.

On this episode of Parenting Behavior, Dr. Andy Kahn will explain the many possible reasons why your child may have difficulties with listening or understanding. And he’ll go over some ways you can help.

Timestamps

(0:52) Anxiety, fear, and emotional distractions

(4:29) Focus and attention issues

(5:48) What does “developmental” really mean?

(7:51) Understanding your child’s comprehension challenges

(9:50) When to use consequences and punishments

We’d love to hear from you. You can email us at ParentingBehavior@understood.org.

A transcript for this episode is available on Understood.org.

Related resources

• Why some kids don’t listen
• How I got my child to listen (without yelling)
• Trouble with receptive language: What you’re seeing
• Understanding why kids have trouble with focus

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

If you have a young child, bedtime can be one of the hardest parts of your daily routine.

Kids often have a lot on their mind at night. There’s Roblox, Netflix, and 100 other things competing for their attention as they try to go to sleep. Plus, they have a full day of school ahead.

But as a parent, you need some time for yourself at night, too. It’s your “me” time to relax, get tasks done, or spend time with a partner. This can create tension between you and your child at bedtime.

On this episode of Parenting Behavior, Dr. Andy Kahn shares tips for how to handle the communication issues that come up at bedtime. Plus, how to create a healthy bedtime routine and more.

Related resources

• Download: Bedtime checklists for kids
• Child can’t wind down at night? Why some kids struggle to go to sleep
• My child with ADHD can’t fall asleep. But I’m so tired. What can I do?

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Many things we do as parents can make us feel awful afterward. Whether it’s raising our voice in frustration or setting a firm limit and watching our child cry in response.

On this episode of Parenting Behavior, Dr. Andy Kahn shares tips for handling things in the moment when your child acts out. He also talks about striking a balance between giving yourself grace for your actions and taking time for self-reflection.

Plus, he shares tips for picking your battles and preparing a default response when emotions are high.

Related resources

• How to manage behavior problems in young kids
• Listen: How to tell the difference between tantrums and meltdowns
• 5 tips for taking a mutual time-out with your child

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give