Give
lessons and examples
Teach your children how to determine if something
warrants an interruption, as they may have a hard
time deciphering when interruptions are justified.
Discuss examples of when it’s okay to interrupt,
such as when someone is at the door, or if a sibling
is hurt.
Coach
proper manners
Teach your child how to wait for a pause in the conversation
and to say, “Excuse me.” When she remembers
to do this, respond positively. If the interruption
is of something that should wait, politely inform
your child of this.
Don’t
answer the question.
Many parents admonish kids for interrupting, but in
the same breath respond to the child’s interrupted
request, which just reinforces the habit.
Watch
your manners
Parents sometimes jump in so quickly to correct their
child’s bad manners that they don’t realize
that the way in which their correction is delivered
is itself rude. Use your own good manners to model
appropriate communication skills. Pause, look at your
child, and say, “I’ll be with you in a
minute.”
Teach “The Squeeze”
Tell your child that if she wants something when you
are talking to another adult, she should walk up to
you and gently squeeze your arm. You will then squeeze
her hand to indicate that you know she is there and
will be with her in a minute. At first, respond quickly
so your child can see the success of this method.
Over time you can wait longer, just give a gentle
squeeze every few minutes to remind your child that
you remember the request.
Create
a busy-box
Put together a box of activities or games that can
only be used when you are on the telephone, working
at your desk, or talking with an adult. Occasionally
refill it with new things or rotate the contents.
Be firm about putting them away when you are done.
Your child will be look forward to your next conversation,
which will be interruption free!
Plan
ahead
Before you make a phone call or have a visitor, let
your child know what to expect. “I’m going
to make a phone call. I’ll be a while, so let’s
get your busy box ready to use while I’m on
the phone.”
Give
praise when deserved
Catching your child doing the right thing can be the
best lesson of all. Praise your child for using good
manners, for remembering to say “excuse me,”
and for interrupting only for a valid reason.
Excerpted
with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The
No-Cry Discipline Solution
(McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
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