I'm not sure what to do about this, but I'm starting to lose my patience. Whenever I'm talking to another grown-up or if I'm talking on the phone, my 3-year-old runs up to me and starts either asking me questions, demanding something from me, or just making noise to get attention (like saying na na na na over and over). It's so frustrating! If I tell him I'm on the phone or I'm talking to someone and to give me a minute, he just keeps making noise and will get louder and louder until I give him my full attention. When I'm on the phone, I've had the person on the other end say they couldn't hear me, because my kid was too loud in the background. So I've had to go in the bedroom and lock the door while he cries on the other side. This isn't just me chatting with friends on the phone, but usually important calls with contractors (we're doing home renovations), so I need to be able to communicate. Does anyone have any advice?
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1. My son learned at school that when he wanted a teacher's attention he could go up to her and put a hand on her shoulder--could you try that with him? Instead of verbally saying your name over and over, a hand at least is quiet.
2. I would prepare him when you have an important phone call-" I need to be on the phone now for about 10 minutes to talk to XYZ. I'm going to get you set up with some play dough/a puzzle/a snack right now--is there anything else you need before I get on the phone? Once I"m on the phone you're going to need to be patient til I'm off."
but also, patience is hard at 3. I have often locked myself in the bathroom on the phone with a screaming child on the other side of the door.
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@hilsy85: The hand on the shoulder is a good suggestion. I'll suggest that and see if it's something he will do.
The problem with the phone calls with contractors is it's usually them calling me, because they have a question or they need to schedule a delivery of something, so I don't get any notice.
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@aprild: ah--in that case I would ask them to hold on for a minute, and then do a very abbreviated version of what I wrote above! And maybe turn on a show or give him a tablet if necessary!
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@aprild: my 4 year old went through this phase so I know how you feel! I just kept reinforcing to her that it was impolite to do that and she should wait her turn. She gets the concept of waiting her turn but just didnt think to apply it to speaking to me
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My 3 year old also has a real hard time with not interrupting. We're working on having him touch my hand and say "excuse me", then I acknowledge him and tell him I need one minute. It's helping.
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@erinbaderin: My lil boy is 3 also and we taught him to say excuse me if he sees me talking to someone else and to wait until I acknowledge him. I "ignored him" when he butted in to interrupt me, but realized I acknowledged him if he said excuse me and addressed him to talk.
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