My Mom brought my five year old two activity toys this morning. My mom felt bad because she had planned on taking my daughter hiking this morning at 9:30 but while she (my mom) was on the treadmill this morning, she remembered that she has class and can’t take my daughter hiking after all. She was going to take my daughter hiking because I have an 11am conference call and she knows that it’s difficult for me to talk on the phone when my daughter is with me.
Despite the fact that she’s five years old she doesn’t seem to understand the concept of not interrupting. I’ve been telling her for years to not interrupt me while I’m on the phone, she thinks that tapping on my leg repeatedly or asking me a ‘very important’ question isn’t interrupting.
How I’m going to try to get my five year old to not interrupt me while I’m on my conference call today:
- I will set up a play space for her with the new activities that my mom brought over for her this morning. The activities involve coloring and easy things that she should be able to do by herself.
- I am going to make a “No Talking!” sign which I will hold up whenever my daughter looks like she’s going to interrupt me while I’m on the phone.
- I will talk to her before the phone call and explain to her that she is not to interrupt me and that there will be consequences if she does. What those consequences are yet, I don’t know.
- I will probably also reward her if she doesn’t interrupt me at all during the phone call.
Add Your Tips!
I think one of the keys in parenting is to get your child to understand consequences. If you can get your kid to understand WHY you shouldn’t be interrupted, it can make a huge difference. This is of course easier said than done!!