Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Interrupting Others
DEMANDING CONSTANT ENTERTAINMENT AND ATTENTION
Some children demand that their parents play with them all
the time. When a parent is reading, watching TV, fixing her
hair, or thinking, the child complains of boredom or
sadness, or wants to be picked up. This is an example of
invasion of parents' rights, assuming the parent talks to
the child and plays with the child at other times. Even
parents of children age 1 to 2 can reasonably insist on
several 15-minute blocks of personal time each day while the
child is awake.
- The Rule
"Don't interrupt me when I'm busy."
- Discipline Technique
First, redirect your child by stating, "I'm going to read
the newspaper now. What are you going to do?" Suggest
some toys. If your child keeps talking say, "I can't
listen now. We'll play when I'm done with the
newspaper." If your child continues to talk or make
demands, either ignore the child or make temporary use of
time-out.
- Praise
Praise your child for entertaining himself or herself.
INTERRUPTING A PARENT ON THE TELEPHONE
- The Rule
"Don't interrupt me when I'm on the telephone, because I
can't hear what the other person is saying."
- Discipline Technique
Redirect your child by giving him or her special toys to
play with which you have saved for this situation and
keep near the telephone. If your child continues to be
disruptive, put the caller on hold (or hang up) and place
your child in time-out. Then return to the telephone.
- Praise
Praise your child for being quiet and waiting while you
are on the telephone. Smile at your child while you are
on the telephone.
- Prevention
Place most of your telephone calls during your child's
nap or after bedtime. Limit calls to less than 5 minutes
when your child is awake.
INTERRUPTING GUESTS
When your child has friends over, you don't interrupt them.
Children don't have the right to interrupt their parents'
friends. After an initial greeting and some brief
attention, your child should not be allowed to crawl on
guests or interrupt conversations.
- The Rule
"Don't interrupt me when I'm talking to my friend,
because it makes it hard for us to talk."
- Discipline Technique
For a younger child, distract him with special toys or
games. For an older child, tell her she has to find
something to do. If your child persists in interrupting,
don't feel guilty about sending her to her room or, if
it's near bedtime, to bed. Children should be able to
take a back seat to guests. Other adults will approve of
your insisting on this.
- Praise
Praise your child for good behavior when guests are over.
INTERRUPTING FAMILY CONVERSATIONS WITH INCESSANT TALKING AND
QUESTIONING
- The Rule
"Don't talk when other people are talking. Don't change
the topic." Although we like children to talk, they need
to wait their turn if someone else is talking.
- Discipline Technique
Ignore the child who is interrupting and continue your
conversation with the other person. If the interruption
continues, tell the child that you will be glad to talk
with him when you are finished talking with the other
person. Suggest he do something else for now. If he
continues to be disruptive, send him to time-out.
- Praise
Praise your child for not interrupting and for waiting.
- Model
Don't interrupt other people, and listen carefully when
they speak.
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