Teach your child not to interrupt in one simple step
Mom, mom, mom… How many times did you child try to ask you something when you were talking to someone? I bet, many! How to teach children to wait and not interrupt, but to show them that you know that they want to ask something?
We loved the article by Kate Gribble on aneverydaystory.com about how to teach kids not to interrupt parent’s conversation with somebody else. Just one simple step, and teaches respect better than hundred lectures.
Many times children are bursting trying to tell something to the parent and tell what’s on their mind regardless of whether their mom or dad is already talking to someone. And nothing can usually stops them from not interrupting. Right? Not any more! Because here is really simple and genius trick that can solve this problem once and for all. “I was chatting with her one day when her (then 3-year-old) son wanted to say something. Instead of interrupting though, he simply placed his hand on her wrist and waited. My friend placed her hand over his to acknowledge him and we continued chatting.
After she had finished what she was saying, she turned to him. I was in awe! So simple. So gentle. So respectful of both the child and the adult.
My husband and I started implementing this straight away. We explained to Jack and Sarah that if they want to talk and someone is already speaking they need to place their hand on our wrist and wait. It took some practice and a few light taps on our own wrists as gentle reminders but I am so happy to report that the interrupting has all but stopped!!
No more, ‘wait’. No more, ‘Please don’t interrupt’. Just a simple visual gesture; a little touch of the wrist. That’s all.”
This positive parenting technique is worth trying with your children. Let us know if it works!