Hmm. Let me think about this. I recently started to learn a 4-step process from the Non Violent Communication book by Marshall Rosenberg, so let me try that here...
1) You just spoke to me in a very impatient tone of voice. It had a rude feeling to it.
2) I felt disrespected when I heard that tone and angry too.
3) I have a need for our house to be a place where we are all treated with respect, so...
4) Next time you're impatient with me, could you please tell me with words instead of that tone of voice?
That sounded pretty good. But maybe a little long-winded for a four year old.
Another thing I might try is to just ask flat-out. "Are you feeling impatient with me? That's how your tone of voice sounded." See what he says. He might not know how "rude" it sounds to you. He might just be expressing impatience, and he hasn't got the social graces down pat yet. :-)
1) You just spoke to me in a very impatient tone of voice. It had a rude feeling to it.
2) I felt disrespected when I heard that tone and angry too.
3) I have a need for our house to be a place where we are all treated with respect, so...
4) Next time you're impatient with me, could you please tell me with words instead of that tone of voice?
That sounded pretty good. But maybe a little long-winded for a four year old.
Another thing I might try is to just ask flat-out. "Are you feeling impatient with me? That's how your tone of voice sounded." See what he says. He might not know how "rude" it sounds to you. He might just be expressing impatience, and he hasn't got the social graces down pat yet. :-)
