As long as moms have been sharing stories about motherhood, they’ve all joked about one consistent phenomenon: the Interrupting Kid. How many times have we heard about, seen or experienced a mother trying to talk on the phone, have a conversation with a guest, or even just use the bathroom, only to have an excited child charge in for attention? While of course our children are always our priority, as they get older, it’s important for them to learn that interrupting is rude and to respect other people. So what’s the best way to teach them to be polite while still letting them know they’re important? Mom Coach Kirsten shows us her easy, effective way.
Let’s recap Kirsten’s technique!
4 Steps to Non-Interrupting Kids
- Have your child place his hand on your shoulder.
- Place your hand on top of his to show that you know he’s there and wants your attention.
- Momentarily excuse yourself – politely, of course! – from your conversation.
- Remove your child’s hand as you turn to him and thank him for waiting. Discuss what he needs, then happily return to your adult conversation!
Simple and effective, and everybody in the situation wins! What do you think of this technique? Have you ever tried anything similar? How do you handle interrupting children, and how did you teach your kids to politely get your attention?