There is so much to learn as a parent and so much to teach your kids. One thing that is important to teach every child is not to interrupt when someone else is talking. That’s hard to do when curious youngsters want to ask you a question right away or are impatient to talk. After all they’ve got a lot on their minds. That’s why this simple tip from Kate at An Everyday Story is so great!
It’s one she shared on her blog after seeing it in action with a friend of hers. She was so impressed she decided to teach it to her own kids.
“See these two? Boy do they have a lot going on. Often times they are just BURSTING to tell me something and will come straight up to me and tell me what’s on their mind regardless of whether I am already talking to someone.”
Photo credit: An Everyday Story
“Well they used to.
“That was before I saw this truly genius little technique from a friend.
“I was chatting with her one day when her (then 3-year-old) son wanted to say something. Instead of interrupting though, he simply placed his hand on her wrist and waited. My friend placed her hand over his to acknowledge him and we continued chatting.
“After she had finished what she was saying, she turned to him. I was in awe! So simple. So gentle. So respectful of both the child and the adult. Her son only needed to wait a few seconds for my friend to finish her sentence. Then she gave him her complete attention.
“My husband and I started implementing this straight away. We explained to Jack and Sarah that if they want to talk and someone is already speaking, they need to place their hand on our wrist and wait. It took some practice and a few light taps on our own wrists as gentle reminders but I am so happy to report that the interrupting has all but stopped!!
“No more, ‘wait’. No more, ‘Please don’t interrupt’. Just a simple gesture; a little touch of the wrist. That’s all.
“Give it a try. It works!”
This tip is shared with permission from Kate. Check out more of her amazing parenting articles on her blog.
And don’t forget to share this handy tip with the parents, grandparents and caregivers you know!
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