help with talking over each other

[kindacrunchy]

I have a 4 yo DS and a 7 yo DS and we are having a HUGE issue with talking over one another. My 4 yo FREAKS out when someone goes to say something at the same time he was going to say something and he will not calm down. Even if we say "I'm sorry, what were you going to say." Of course, my oldest, exacerbates the problem because my 4 yo is a talker and my 7 yo likes to have it be quiet and he starts to ignore his brother or he will talk and not let his brother talk.
Any helpful suggestions?
Thanks!

[attached2ethan]

Holy crap, I could've written your post word for word!

I have a 4yo who is an incessant talker, and a 7yo is who would rather not listen to him babble 24/7. My poor 4yo gets interrupted a LOT because he never stops talking, so someone else has to say something eventually but then he freaks out. He has to feel "heard" or he has a complex.

I've just started getting really diligent about not interrupting each other, and that goes for everyone in our family. I notice even my husband and I talk over the 4yo because he just yammers on and on- so we've started saying "ok, when you finish your story it's mommy's turn to talk" or whomever. This way he feels heard but has limits on when he can talk- and we have had to send him in a different room occasionally when he continues interrupting. It usually gets the point across.

It's so tough to deal with, but I've explained to both kids that a) everyone likes to be heard and it's important to be a good listener and b) you can't talk someone's ear off if they would rather have it quiet. say what you need to say and be done.