| It can be a very frustrating business, and stretch your | | | | Be Clear in your Expectations |
| parenting help skills, to try and teach your children not | | | | If you do have to make a telephone call, or you have |
| to interrupt. They need to understand that there are | | | | a visitor with whom you are having an important |
| times when it is acceptable to interrupt (such as in an | | | | conversation, then you need to take steps in advance |
| emergency) and times when it is not (when they are | | | | to avoid trouble. Tell the child that you are going to |
| bored). It is one thing understanding this however, and | | | | make a call, or that you need to talk to this person, and |
| quite another to put it into practice, especially if you | | | | give them an idea how long you expect to be. Check |
| have a child with high energy levels or who is highly | | | | whether there is anything they need before you start |
| verbal. So you need to re-visit some basic teaching | | | | your conversation. It is important that you stick to this |
| about what constitutes good manners, and explain to | | | | time frame, and if the conversation is going on for |
| the child that they need to wait for their turn to speak. | | | | longer, excuse yourself from it briefly so that you can |
| Be Reasonable | | | | check on the child. Tell him or her that you need to bit |
| The first thing you need to do is to be reasonable in | | | | more time than you thought, and ask again whether |
| your expectations. Young children cannot easily hold | | | | there is anything they need before you go back to the |
| onto a thought for longer than just a few minutes. You | | | | conversation. |
| need to let your child know that you will give him or her | | | | You can use reading as a tool for teaching children |
| your attention as soon as you can, and then ensure | | | | manners. There are plenty of books on this subject, so |
| that you keep your promise. | | | | read some together. Then talk about the story and |
| Be Available | | | | what the child has learned from it, and what they might |
| If you are not available to listen to your child for some | | | | do if they come across a similar situation. |
| reason, for example when you are the phone, then | | | | It is important in parenting to understand that children |
| think up ways they can occupy themselves while | | | | learn from examples around them. If you or other |
| waiting for your attention. A good parenting help tip for | | | | family members are always interrupting each other, |
| this circumstance is to have a box of quiet toys | | | | and your child observes this, then it is going to be very |
| nearby, such as crayons and paper, puzzles and so | | | | hard for them to learn not to do the same. The things |
| on, and ensure that these are toys that they can only | | | | you do are a strong influence on your child's behavior, |
| use when you're on the phone. Have drinks and | | | | so ensure that you wait for your turn to speak, and if |
| snacks where they can reach them, so they don't | | | | you do inadvertently interrupt then be sure to |
| need to interrupt you to ask for your help. | | | | apologize. |