My Child Interrupts

Children who interrupt your conversations – whining, pulling at your clothing or just barging in can be very frustrating!  It’s important to answer children’s questions, but they need to understand that interrupting is not acceptable.

1. Try to plan phone calls or visits when young children are napping or playing quietly.
2. For young children, it can help to hold their hand, or rub their back when they interrupt you, so they know you are paying attention to them without stopping what you are doing.
3. Teach children aged 3 and up that they need to wait for you (not too long!) and praise them when they wait even for a moment. Toddlers are pre-schoolers are too young to wait or to keep from interrupting.
4. Older children can help you decide on a fair way for them to get your attention without interrupting; for example, they might hand you a note while you are on the phone, and you can write an answer or nod to them in response.
5. Show your child how you want them to behave in your own behavior – say “excuse me” when you interrupt them or anyone else.