My kid won't listen

From Lisa:
DEAR MR.ANON. WOULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO GET MY 5YR OLD TO LISTEN. HE IS A BOY, AND DETERMINED TO TALK BACK, AND NOT LISTEN. SO IT SEEMS LIKE I AM ALWAYS GETTING ON HIM ABOUT SOMETHING. I AM TIRED OF RAISING MY VOICE WITH HIM. PLEASE, HELP THANK-YOU

Dear Lisa,
Give the kid a break. He probably can't get a word in edgeways. I'm not saying it's easy, if he's a non-stopper, but you won't help him - or you - by going on and on - especially if he's not listening.

Just shut up! And I mean that in a positive way. NEVER speak to him unless you have something that needs to be said.

Here's how, oldest trick in the parents' book - count to ten, read your book. Then count to ten again, watch the telly. And again, iron a skirt. Soon he'll be worrying that you're not talking.

When he asks (not until), you say "Sorry, if you're not going to listen, I'll save my breath"

Now, this ain't gonna be easy, you'll take a while to relearn not to bellow - but that's fine. If he's only five, a gradual change to silence gives him time to adapt gently.