They don’t call them the trying threes for no reason. It’s an age thing. Be consistent, they will get there.

I think it’s an age thing as my 4 yr old didn’t use to listen but now he’s so much better I’m currently going thru this with my 2.5yr old and it’s sending me insane. Just be patient and give him time he should get better as he gets older. I do try time out but at this age it just doesn’t seem to work.

I would start by getting his hearing checked as being a swim instructor I know how noisy it can be in the water and if there are any issues it can show there. Although you have to remember his age… pushing boundaries is part of growing up

most kids seem to do this. we have that trouble also

my daughters the same doesnt like to listen at all

there are some good comments here

I think you need to get him checked over maybe his hearing to start could be a type of autism

OMG ! This sounds just like my boy ! We had to pull him out of swimming last week for not listening! It’s so frustrating ! I’ve been told by lots of ppl thAt this is normal and just a phase … I certainly hope so ! Have you tried a reward chart? This worked for toilet training my son… I’m going to try bribery next week at swimming I know it’s bad but I have to try something! Good luck!

As a mother of twin boys I hear your pain!!! I did however watch the most enlightening program on how boys ears are different that girls, they fill with fluid…boys actually don’t hear everything. Make sure you have eye contact and they are responding!

This is absolutely normal for three. My daughter is exactly the same and she has just turned four. Have you read 1,2,3 magic? Great book for this sort of thing. Another one is raising a spirited child.

My son tries to push the boundaries all the time. He is only 2 and 1/2 and its typical behaviour and I try the stern talking to. I get down to his level and tell him what is expected, I will admit sometimes I am at a boiling point but that is not going to get me anywhere, You need to be stern with them. It works with my little boy he knows he has done something wrong. It seems to have a better reactions

My son is two and a half and I try the stern talking to. I get down to his level and tell him what is expected, I do sometimes are at boiling point but that is not going to get me anywhere, You need to be stern with them. It works with my little boy h knows he has done something wrong.

He is just being a normal little boy, he will level out eventually. Boys are so beautiful

Boys get a testosterone boost at 3 and they can’t sit still of a second, our Mr 3 is exactly the same, we have found rewards seem to help, they are actually listening, you just can’t tell, but our little one will often recite or talk about something that happened the previous day, right when we thought he wasn’t listening to us, we have found being less adversarial has helped, we feel less wound up and he seems to respond better, if we aren’t so grumpy, he is told that mummy will ask nicely 3 times, so I calmly repeat myself and use please, and even if he is running amok, surprisingly on the 3rd request he stops and comes to me (as yet he hasn’t found out what happens after 3 pleases, lucky as I have no idea what comes next)
I’m told they also get a boost at around 7 and quite often you’ll get a report from school saying he doesn’t listen etc… apparently it does actually affect their hearing.

Normal three year old boy behaviour!

sounds like a pretty typical nearly three year old, it takes a lot to engage their attention especially if there is plenty going on around them. Take the time to praise their listening skills when they apply them and reward good behavior rather than punish what you feel is ‘bad’ or unwanted behaviors.

If his ears checks out ok maybe try some reward or bribing method for good behaviour? I know a lot of people oppose to bribing and rewarding kids but sometimes it works!

get his hearing checked if you are worried but it may just be his age

Some very useful answers to your question. Dealing with kids is always a sensitive matter.

Its normal for most boys! Mine still don’t listen , they get very busy in their minds and are just too busy to listen. You need to get in their face and talk directly to them and make it interesting (more than whatever they are doing)