 |
||
 |
Back to Parents' Place | |
|
| You are speaking to
someone and your child interrupts you in the middle of the conversation. You feel
frustrated. The next time round, the same thing happens. You get real mad. Are you caught
up in this vicious cycle? Do you know the cause of the problem? Is it natural for him to
want to interrupt? Young children tend to be egocentric. They want everything for themselves. They also want to be noticed, i.e. to become the centre of attention. Hungering for your attention, they simply step right into your conversation. Little do they understand that they are i-n-t-e-r-r-u-p-t-i-n-g a conversation. Is there anything you can do to ease the problem?
|
|||
 |
Teach your child how not to interrupt you. Of course you need a lot of patience in helping your child identify and fight the urge to interrupt. Sit down and tell him other ways in which he can get your attention. He can gently tap your side, wave his hand, etc. You can teach him a new hand gesture. | ||
|
Make your expectations reasonable. Do not make your child stand or sit around waiting forever before you focus your attention on him. Set an initial time duration for any activities you might engage in. Adjust it accordingly. | ||
|
Teach him how to take turns. Let your child experience what it is like taking turns to watch a favourite TV programme, read a comic book, play badminton, etc. | ||
|
Before engaging in a long conversation with someone, ask if your child needs anything from you. Identify what he is doing at this moment. Be consistent in how you deal with him. If he interrupts you again, finish whatever you intend to say or do before attending to him. Do you achieve anything if you lose your cool and scold him? | ||
|
Never rule out completely the possibility that your immediate attention is needed, though. Be on the alert at all times. Who knows, your child may have spotted a giant centipede or smelled something burning. | ||
