This story sticks in my mind--probably b/c I need to remind myself of it every now and again.
One day when my son was about 3 or 4, he had done something wrong for which he was immediatley sent to his room . (don't remember what....) After I had cooled down, I went in to talk to him, and I was so focused on getting my point across to him, that my little talk turned into a very long lecture.
After who knows how long, (cause I was on a roll, baby....!), I noticed he was rolling on the bed, and looking out the window (not what i wanted from him!!!).
So I stopped my very long (and, under different circumstances, very good speech), and said" Luke! Are you listening to me?"
He said, "yes Momma, but when you talk so much, I can't hear what you say"
Guess what?... I got THAT message loud and clear.