I’m Tired of Repeating Myself

Caregiver…

How many times have you said:

“I KNOW you heard me!”

“Put your shoes on.”

“Brush your teeth.”

“Get your backpack.”

“Turn that off.”

Again.

And again.

And AGAIN.

Eventually your voice starts getting louder because you’re thinking:

“They’re ignoring me.”

But Proverbs 15:1 KJV says:

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Louder isn’t always clearer.

Sometimes your child may need fewer words and more processing time.

1. GET CLOSE

Instead of yelling from another room, move closer when possible.

1. SAY LESS

Give one direction.

“Shoes on.”

Not six directions at once.

1. WAIT

Give their brain a few extra seconds before repeating yourself.

STOP — Stop before your voice goes up.

BREATHE — One slow breath. Count to five silently.

SAY — One direction only. “Shoes on.”

1. I Do — Show them the new way: walk over, get low, say one direction. “Shoes on.” Then wait.

1. We Do — Practice together. Give them one direction and count to five silently before repeating.

1. You Do — Ask them: “Did that feel different?” Let them tell you what helps them hear you.

1. Today, give one direction at a time. Just one.

1. Move closer instead of louder.

1. Count to five before you repeat. Watch what happens.

Caregiver…

Slow processing can look like ignoring.

Overwhelm can look like refusing.

And confusion can look like disrespect.

So before your voice goes up—

let your curiosity kick in.

Talk better. Do better.

💜 Before we stress, let’s assess.

Spot the clue. Know what to do.