Sanity-Saving Things To Say (And Do) When Your Child Isn't Listening

Whether your child is having a fit or quietly ignoring you, sometimes you just have to do something to break the spell. Laughing or smiling can distract them from whatever else held their attention because it's human nature to want to know what's causing the other person amusement. After you've redirected their thoughts, you can reattempt to get them to listen. 

A word of warning with this one, for some children laughing or smiling can backfire because they think you're making fun of them. You'll have to try this approach and take note of how your child reacts. It can be good for diffusing tense situations when done tactfully.