I'm 17, And I Babysit My Sisters For My Parents Often. My 10 Year Old Sister Never Listens To Me, And Always Has An Attitude. When I Tell Her To Do Something She Gives Me Dirty Looks, Or Tells Me No. What Can I Do To Make Her Listen?

I'm a mother of 4 (3 grown), they hated to listen. Currently our last child 9 years. old, doesn't like to listen If she thinks she might be able to get away with it. I have found though, through years of reading them, that the happier their environment is, the more willing they are to cooperate, but it isn't in the sense of giving them what they want. It comes through spending quality time, talking on their level, and teaching with enthusiasm.
Find something that they like to do, turn it into a reward, not so much a punishment. Our daughter likes to read, ice skate, go to the park. If she does her homework, earns good grades and whatnot, then she is rewarded with the things she likes to do.
She is a very smart girl, and has learned responsibility, and we are closer and more comfortable in talking and spending time together. I know it isn't your job to be the parent, but while babysitting, try making cookies, and let them do the work, you get to give the instructions, and sit back and laugh at the mistakes that they are going to make doing it, in turn they will respond in kind, and be more willing to listen to you. Mind you I am not a professional, I'm just a mother with experience. GOOD LUCK!!

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Your question is quite similar to that of many girls of your age in the same kind of family. I can understand your problem and feelings while facing such conditions. Sometimes one gets so much irritated that they tend to run away. But from your question I can feel the love and affection you are having for your baby sisters, That is a positive aspect of your personality.

Now first of all this is need to be understood that you are given a responsibility to babysit your sisters. This responsibility means a lot. Your parents have trusted you to take care of their most precious kids and as precious as you are. If we see it in general, then you should be doing your job or assignment or fullfil the responsibility you are assigned. This is the requirement for any person's character who is ever being given an assignment. On the other hand you are being the caring person for your own sisters.

So if your sister does not listen to you any more, look at the reasons why she is not listening to you. Are you being too much authoritative to he, or are you being rude to her. My advice is to be friendly with her and play games with her, She will listen to you.

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Hi, I have to agree with tiggersmom, the most important thing you can be around a prepubescent girl is positive, in order to give her the confidence you are already emitting from you. She really would like you to take an interest in her and not her age. It would be nice for her if you would try new hairstyles on her, new makeup on her, and stuff like that.

I have six kids and the two eldest are girls are 21 and 19; then there are three boys and a wee girl of 1 year and 6 months. She relishes (adores) her hair being done and her nails being painted. We are female and the more responsibility we are given the better we feel. So instead of giving orders, make decisions together, after a little makeover, or a wee girlie chat, it may help situations.

It will help you understand your sister better also. I watch my kids everyday and see how they have formed their own relationships and it is worth it.
So good luck.

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I am a mother with two kids and one on the way, and I am quite familiar with the way kids behave. It all depends on how children relate to authority. You should try to compromise with your sister by giving an option instead of an order. I am sure you'd have done the same thing if you were her age. Children have the habit to throw tantrums and they are averse to orders. So, it is important to give choices, options and rewards instead of orders. No one in the world likes to be bossed around!

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You can't "make" her listen. My brother terrorized me when I was younger. We have the same age difference as you & your sister. My brother would pick on me and I felt so horrible. I wish my parents would have cared enough to have gotten a babysitter. The trauma of being humiliated & teased was awful. Realize that you are the older sibling. If your sister doesn't listen then tell your parents that they need to hire a sitter.

Your job while you're sitting her is to keep her out of danger. If she's simply rolling her eyes you can ignore that. Maybe she needs to stay in her room & stay busy with her own activities while you are sitting her? At age 10 she certainly should be able to learn how to get along. At age 10 I was babysitting more than one child myself.

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