2 Easy Ways to Handle Your Kids' Interruptions

2 Easy Ways to Handle Your Kids Interruptions
by Susie E. Caron © 10/11/15

Do you get impatient when your kids interrupt you with frequent requests and irritating questions? Most parents do. But there are really important reasons to meet most of your kids’ needs, and to be able to get your work done. This article explains why you will want to respond more positively and 2 easy ways you can do that.

Reasons to respond in positive ways to your Kids' Interruptions.
"Kids need to feel their parents welcome, understand, and value them to become healthy, confident adults."

Parents want to help their kids feel welcomed and understood, but parents can’t always, immediately take care of every  kid’s needs. Kids who interrupt only to feel their parent’s rejection, irritation, or disinterest, have more personal insecurities and difficulty handling disappointments and stress. However, the kids who know that their parents welcome them, validate their feelings, and attempt to understand, feel that they are worthy of their parent’s time and attention. These kids usually become healthier, happier, more confident adults.They also tend to handle life difficulties and disappointments much better.  

Most parents want to help their kids grow up this way, but find it difficult and don't know how to handle the seemingly constant interruptions, questions and requests.
If you struggle with how to handle your kids' interruptions,, the information below can help you.
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Two Good Ways To Respond To Kids' Interruptions.

Here are two easy ways you can address most of the interruptions, requests and questions so your kids feel welcomed and valued. The first way suggests how to prepare your kids, when you really cannot be interrupted. The second gives you ways to handle their interruptions if you were unable to prepare them beforehand. These 2 responses will help your kids feel welcomed and worthy of your time and attention. That goes a long way to building healthier, happier, and more confident kids.

Prepare kids before you begin your work.

If possible, BEFORE you engage in an important activity, set the kids up with something to occupy them and tell them how long you will be unavailable. Tell them you'll set the timer so when it rings you'll come visit with them to see if they need anything. Let them know how important it is that you get this task completed without any interruptions. Also tell them that you plan to play, read or do something else for fun with them after your finished.

When the timer goes off, stop and go to your kids. Thank them for giving you this time. Tell them it is because of them, waiting so nicely, that you were able to complete what you started working on. Now reward them by doing something WITH them.  (You can set the timer if you want to limit the time for play.)

What to do when 'work' (phone call etc.) appears and your kids interrupt you.

If work, an important phone call, etc. appears without enough warning, you can still make sure your kids' needs are met later. Here's how:

When your kids try to get your attention, excuse yourself for a moment. Then quickly turn to fully face your child, make good eye contact, and say,

“I know that you want me to ____(do, say, fix, ) and it is really important to you.
I WANT (use this important word) to do that for you, but I can’t do it right now.
I will come find you when I finish this in _____(time)."
 
(Give child a time and try to stick to it. If you find you are running long, apologize to your child and set a new time.)

When you practice this response each time you are interrupted, your kids will trust that you value them enough to acknowledge them and their needs, and that you will indeed follow through. It takes time, but this save a lot of aggravation. 
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Bonus:
Did you know that by giving your UNDIVIDED attention to kids, in 15 minute slots throughout your day, (read a book, play a game, watch part of a TV show, etc together.) You will reduce the number and times you get interrupted? Try this and you will find that you can actually get more of your own work done!
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I hope you liked this article and found it helpful for when you get interrupted. Please share this article with your friends, email me or comment below to tell me what you think, and what you have found works to distract your kids when you are busy.
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As always
Twee’ means you and me
Working together to raise great kids.
Susie Caron
 
 
               
 

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