Why Doesn’t My Kid Listen? (And What to Do Instead of Yelling)

After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

Dear Media and Big Little Feelings

Big Little Feelings, After Bedtime, Deena Margolin, After Bedtime With Big Little Feelings, Kids & Family, Parenting, 105161, Kristin Gallant

4.7 • 5.7K Ratings

🗓️ 16 July 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

You’re not imagining it: Your kid isn’t listening. But it’s not because they’re defiant. It’s not because you’re a bad parent. And it’s definitely not because you haven’t yelled loud enough. In this episode, we reveal what’s actually going on when your child “doesn’t listen” - and the 5 research-backed strategies that will change everything.

You’ll learn:

Why kids struggle to process directions (hint: it’s their brain, not bad behavior)
How giving your child just 8 seconds can increase cooperation by up to 40%
The common parenting habits that backfire—and what to do instead
The science of co-regulation, timing, and how to speak so kids actually hear you
What to say, how to say it, and how to stop yelling (without losing your authority)

This episode is part wake-up call, part emotional gut check, and part masterclass in getting your kid to listen without fear, shame, or bribes. If you’re stuck in the repeat-yell-regret cycle? Press play. There’s a better way - and we’re here to show it to you.

This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The following podcast is a dear media production.
0:05.0	If you've ever said, how many times do I have to tell you?
0:08.8	This one's for you.
0:10.4	If you've ever yelled and then immediately felt like garbage, yep, same.
0:16.0	And if you're stuck in a cycle of yelling or guilt, then Googling parenting podcasts. I mean, welcome. You are so
0:23.3	not alone. Welcome. Today, we're talking about listening, or rather what we think is listening,
0:31.3	why our kids don't seem to do it and why yelling might feel good in the moment, but actually
0:36.1	doesn't work. And we'll explain what's happening in your child's brain during those moments,
0:41.0	what's happening in your brain, and what to do instead of going full fire breathing dragon.
0:47.2	No shame, no perfection, just some real talk and tools that actually help.
0:51.5	Let's go. Let's do it.
0:53.7	Welcome to after bedtime, where the house is
0:56.7	finally quiet, but the real noise begins. The thoughts, the questions, the wondering if you're
1:02.5	doing any of this right. We're Kristen and Dina, child behavior experts, moms, and co-founders
1:08.6	of big little feelings. And we're not here to give you more pressure or perfect parenting energy.
1:13.6	Nope. We're here to tell the truth, the unfiltered, beautiful, brutal truth about what it means to raise kids and re-raise ourselves in the process.
1:22.6	Because parenting isn't just about sleep schedules and snack hacks. It's about healing.
1:28.9	It's about breaking cycles.
1:32.9	It's about becoming the kind of adult you want your kids to grow up to be.
1:35.9	This is the place where we say the quiet parts out loud.
1:37.9	And we're so glad that you're here.
1:41.6	You know, I had been feeling so great this week.
	...

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