The Interrupt Rule

Does your child interrupt you when you are in the midst of a conversation or working on an important report?

If you have faced this situation several times, it would be good to teach your child how to get your attention politely. It is important to teach your child patience and respect for others.

Here's how the Interrupt Rule works:
Step 1:
When your child needs to interrupt or get your attention while you are in the midst of a conversation or working on an important report, teach him to place a hand on your forearm and wait for a few moments for you to acknowledge him.

Step 2:
The adult pats the child's hand or place his hand in yours and gently squeeze it. This lets him know that you are aware that he is there and needs to interrupt. The child then waits till you find an opportune time to stop the conversation or what you are doing and attend to him.

If the child shakes your arm violently or call you repeatedly, you can enforce this rule:
- If you cannot wait for a few moments, the answer will be NO.

However, parents must find an opportune moment to be excused as soon as possible, Young children should not be kept waiting for too long. The guideline is the younger the child, the shorter the waiting should be.

Hope this tip helps you to inculcate two good values or character traits in your child: patience and respect for others.