I often find that when I'm not giving my kids the attention they need, the demand it in other ways.
However, I find that the opposite is true.  When I'm more attentive to them, they are more attentive to what I have to say.
Taking time out to play with my children isn't a difficult task.  But often times, I find myself busy with 'other things' that are 'more important' to me at the moment.  These are the times that they are being neglected.
I was playing with my 2yo yesterday.  We were playing Barbies.  That basically consisted of me making sure their clothes were on and hair was combed.  She was busy trying to take the clothes off and putting on the ones she wanted them to wear.
She quickly grew tired of it, and decided to do something else.  Forgetting to put up the current selection of toys.

So, of course, I had to remind her.  She was happy to do it that way.  Sure, Mom! she says.  And we put the Barbies up and were on to the next thing.  Each 'next thing' lasting about 5 minutes.  Because, we all know the attention span of a 2 year old is about as long as a minute.  So, five isn't very long to us Mommies. LOL

Anyway, normally, in this instance, she would have ignored me or threw a fit bc she didn't want to put it up.  She wanted to play with it now!  But yesterday, as I was sitting there, giving my full attention, she was happy to do as I asked, without question.

And so, it just goes to show you that a little extra attention can go a long way for creating a more obedient child.