I am guessing I’m not the only parent who has trouble with their kids interrupting them. I feel sometimes like I can’t even complete a thought let alone a sentence when I’m talking on the phone or with Matt. I’ve tried some of the things that the “experts” suggest, like making sure I give them my undivided attention so they feel like they are heard. I’ve also gotten fed up and put the kids in time-out after repeated interruptions or just lost my temper. But nothing stopped making them interrupt, no matter how politely they did it, “Excuse me! Excuse me!”
So a week or so ago, I put Tabby in time out after constant interruptions, but when her time out was over, I talked to her. I explained to her that when she interrupted me it was like she was saying that what she had to say was more important than what I had to say. I asked her, was that the case? No, she said. Then I explained to her that it was pretty much saying that she was more important than me. Was that true, I asked? No, she said, everyone is equally important. Correct, I said. We talked about how hard it can be to wait, but that it was the polite, kind thing to do.
And just like that, it’s been days since my last interruption … from Tabby. Ben is a different story. We’ll civilize him one of these days! Maybe. I don’t know that it will be long-lasting, but so far this has been the only thing that’s even helped. So I’m hopeful. It is lovely to have her at an age where logic and reason are possible.
My name is Jess. I'm a 30ish wife and working mommy. I love spending time with my family and friends, crafting up weird and beautiful things, cooking delicious food and running lots of miles to work it off. I love chocolate, wine, Photoshop, my Nikon and sleeping in. I do freelance design work for fun and marginal profit at 
One Comment
I think you are correct it is an age issue.