How To Teach Your Child Not To Interrupt?

At times, children can really be frustrating. Each parent is aware of this deep in his bones. However, there is a particular behavior which may drive calm and patient parent crazy: when his child will interrupt everyone around him with every chance he gets. For some reason, “Mom is having a conversation right now” seem to never do the trick.

Children end up interrupting people around sometimes in the most inappropriate moments and usually they do this to grab your attention. This habit of interrupting is most of the time very annoying. And maybe you tried by now to explain him that is rude to this and still, he does it quite often.

Don`t judge him your little one too harshly for this! This doesn`t that he deliberately doesn`t want to be polite, but rather he isn`t really sure of a different way to grab people`s attention.

And still, what there`s to be done in such situations? Or better yet, what we need to do to avoid getting in such awkward moments? Because it would be rather embarrassing to hear your boss at the other end of the phone how you are trying to educate your youngster.

Today we`ll try to go over the reasons why a child gets used to interrupt discussions and solutions to prevent the little one from doing so.

Why Do Children Interrupt?

The child interrupts you no matter if you talk with your life partner, bank manager or work colleague pretty much for one simple reason: because it works! The first thing that you do right before ending your conversation is to fulfill the little one`s desire in order to leave you alone. So, would he stop?

Solutions for Child Not to Interrupt

Teach your young one to understand the real difference between wanting something and needing it. For example, he needs to because the “house is on fire,” not because he wants a toy or a cookie that he can get it on his own anyway. Tell him that dialogues between adults shouldn`t be interrupted without a good reason.

You should also teach your child to find the possible breaks in the dialogue of adult people and only then try to say what he needs to say. Encourage them to be polite!

Of course, the entire process of teaching your child not to interrupt requires time and patience, and the results won`t come without effort and failure. Here`re a few aspects that you need to guide yourself through the process.

Related: Parental Indifference: What Will Your Neglected Child Become Tomorrow?

Managing Time

Keep some time to spend with your child on a daily basis. Whether it`s about a period when you have a conversation or you are playing, it`s your special time together and it`s very important to pay all your attention to him. Then remind him that you also need some special time for you and add that if he has something important to tell you, he should address you politely and wait for an answer. Still, don`t expect for miracles overnight.

Representing an Example

This is probably the first and most essential step in any action that involves a child. This should means that parents shouldn`t interrupt one another in front of the youngster and regulate their own behavior when it comes to the child. When the young one interrupts, the adult need to have a gentle but firm reaction!

Plan your Conversations

This particular advice may attract more criticism from relatives, as usually it isn`t easy or practical in achieve this. Still, parents have to use this particular method if they desire to avoid being interrupted from important conversations. You may require a thorough planning in advance, but in the end everybody will be pleased.

Shaping Good Manners

Teach the little one first to use various expressions such as “excuse me,” or “please, excuse me, when he wants to enter a discussion, and when he does so, answer him positively. By following your behavior towards other people, you`ll teach your child to be polite.

Teach Him the “Squeezing” Method

If he wants something when you talk to another person, teach him to gently grab your arm or hand and squeeze it. This way, he`ll acknowledge that you are there for him and that you`ll be able to talk to him right after finishing the discussion. At first, answer him rapidly so that the little one can see the results of the method. In time, you can prolong the duration of time in which you`ll offer him an answer by squeezing his arm hand in return to demonstrate him that you`ll remember his request.

Create a Box for Busy Moments

Put in this box various toys or games that can be used when talking at the phone, working or talking with another person. Fill it from time to time with new things or simply change its content and put it aside in the end. The little one will become eager to use it the next time he has the chance. – Visit this page!

What If You Have a Chronic Offender?

But what if, for example, you have to deal with a 12-year-old child who is a real chronic interrupter? The advice wouldn`t be suitable for a 6-year-old child, but the recommendation would be to be consistent the same advice outlined above. At 12 years, the problem is most likely much larger, and his cooperation will play an important role in the whole picture.

You would need to make this a priority. Sit your child down and explain to him why it`s so important to you and other people around, as well as to his efficiency as a future adult. Also, tell him that you`ll have to remind them this from time to time. Maybe a jar with $10 in it for the beginning, then every time he interrupts he needs to put $1 or $2 with each interruption, would work. This would maybe motivate him to stop interrupting people around him all the time. You might have to adjust the penalty fee based on your personal situation. If the situation is more complicated, you may have to begin with 1 week at a time. You want the penalty to hurt him a bit, because you want him to succeed.