Telephonus Interruptus... What do I do with an interruptor?

[tbmum]

Ok, I am in need of some effective, amusing, intriguing or unique ways to discourage the interruptions while on the phone. Today, I explained 4-5 times NOT to interrupt daddy on the phone with 80 year old rellie in Queensland, clear as a bell, at his height, looking in his eyes, etc etc, and he was SO excited about some matter he needed to report that he followed Daddy in and out of various rooms, the front door, back door and good lord! I started phrasing this question in my mind right then...

It has been becomming a little bit of a pattern lately with Mr 4.3/4 years old - just at that right age for this sort of thing, hey.

I'd like something other than what is happening!

Any strategies please, I know this is a common one, but I have this epic baby brain problem, and my brain only functions intermittently...

- Charndra

[*Aimee*]

My MIL would have her children squeeze her hand gently and then she would respond to them. If they came up talking or demanding she just ignored them. You could totally try that?

[mommajb]

I like the hand squeezing idea (if the hands aren't busy/multi-tasking).

I have five children and I sat in the van in the driveway one night this week in order to have a quiet call. Dh was home but so many people are just noisy and older people or anyone with mild hearing loss can have trouble with background noise. (This doesn't address the interuptions but was the only was I found peace.)

[meemee]

you know mama i would let this pass. not give too much importance to it.

at that age yes they can wait, yes they can learn to not interrupt you every single time, but however some interruptions are going to happen.

having said that - since they REALLY have a need to speak out - i usually put my dd on the phone. i usually can tell when she REALLY HAS TO speak, and when it can wait. i am assuming 'relli' means relative.

i have also found if there are constant interruptions on the phone then i am not spending enough time with dd. so i do that and we dont have so many interruptions again. but yes i have hung up to talk to dd and then called back again.

the reason why i say this now - is to just hang in there - is your son is soon going to be entering his own world and you will get to know v. little of it. enjoy every little bit of what he has to share. my dd is 7 and i miss those 'gotta say it right now' moments. there are things i hear of months later which i would have loved to have heard months ago.

and no in my books - there is no right age. this expectation out of our kids is what really creates a gap. pretty soon he is going to hit that stage (let me tell you its not gradual - it happens overnight) when he is not going to interrupt you.

this is his last phase of babyhood. enjoy it while it is still there.

[Theoretica]

I learned years ago that when I need to be on the phone I get out some activities that aren't pulled out all the time (playdough, paint with water, baby scissors and construction paper, crayons, whatever) right before I make the phone call. It kept them busy long enough for me to talk on the phone and then it got MUCH better. If you get a phone call, ask for them to hold a sec or call them right back while you get your little one situated.

[Tamsin]

I tend to have long conversations on the phone. If I am just about done talking, I tell them (the kids) to wait a minute. If not, I just say "excuse me" to the person I am talking to and take the 20 secs to deal with my child. I think that the children are more important than the phone call usually, and if the person I am talking to doesnt get that, well bad luck.
If it is a call to a place of business, I usually warn the children first that I wont be able to talk to them once I start talking to the lady or whatever.
I think its really an old fashioned expectation not to expect children to want/need to speak to you (general you) when you are on the phone.

[Polliwog]

Originally Posted by Theoretica

I learned years ago that when I need to be on the phone I get out some activities that aren't pulled out all the time (playdough, paint with water, baby scissors and construction paper, crayons, whatever) right before I make the phone call. It kept them busy long enough for me to talk on the phone and then it got MUCH better. If you get a phone call, ask for them to hold a sec or call them right back while you get your little one situated.

That's an awesome suggestion. I'm going to do that. And put out a snack since the kids are always STARVING when I get on the phone.