If you answered yes, you may have a "listening" problem. Most parents can relate. We talk--but it seems nobody listens. 

We repeat. We search for ways to make our children pay attention. But, all too often we settle for simply being annoyed because we have bought into "it's just kids being kids." We need to take this listening thing more seriously. When our children develop a habit of listening carefully, they not only relate better to us--they are enabled to hold onto the truths of God.

"Therefore, consider carefully how you listen." Jesus offers this warning just after He explained the parables of the Sower and the Seed and the Lamp on a Stand to His confused disciples. Jesus cautions the disciples that listening is critical to receiving from God. Those who listen carefully, receive more. Those who fail to do so have anything they have received taken away.

Little habits have great impact. My children have sweet hearts, sunny dispositions, and generous spirits--all received from God. Because we have a large family with many eager voices, all too often I let slide the talking over one another. Because we have competing agendas and busy schedules, all too often I overlook the failure to heed my instructions. But, every time I do that, I normalize failing to listen carefully. I normalize instead the very trait Jesus warned could cost my children what they have already received.

I need to normalize listening carefully. I need to:

• Refuse to engage in a pattern of repeating myself.
• Consistently enforce the rule that when one person is speaking, others are silent. And, attentively listening.
• Train my children to heed an instruction given the first time rather than waiting for the repeat, or worse, the yell.