Updated: March 4, 2021
Originally Published: August 11, 2010
I’ve reached a point in my life where having an adult conversation in my own home is nearly impossible without being interrupted by a small being who seems to think their thoughts or requests are far more pressing than my current discussion.
These interruptions usually manifest as a rambling explanation about the latest toy they simply must have (“Have you heard about glow-in-the-dark slime?”), a subtle nudge to convince me to buy it (“I think YOU would really enjoy glow-in-the-dark slime, Mom!”), a bizarre fact about a world record that involves something unpleasant (“Did you know the longest hair ever recorded was over 18 feet long?”), or a loud plea for help in the bathroom (“CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS?!”).
My responses to these disruptions depend heavily on how significant the conversation I’m having is, my willingness to engage in an intense debate over the merits of glow-in-the-dark slime or lengthy hair, and my level of annoyance. I’ve tried multiple times—both in moments of frustration and calm—to explain to these little ones that the world (including their mother’s undivided attention) doesn’t revolve around them, and that interrupting someone without a genuine emergency is simply rude.
I’ve had this little back-and-forth many times:
- “Are you on fire?”
- “No.”
- “Is someone else near you on fire?”
- “No.”
- “Are you bleeding or is someone critically injured?”
- “No.”
- “Then you can wait until I finish speaking.”
Yet, they never seem to grasp it.
Sometimes, while I’m on the phone, they dash into the room, mouths agape, and I instinctively raise my finger—the universal sign for “Just a moment.” Once, that gesture meant “Give me a minute,” but now, especially accompanied by a furrowed brow and a pursed lip, it conveys, “If you interrupt me one more time about something trivial, like an iPad app you want to download, I will ensure your joy is obliterated for the rest of the day, dessert included.”
However, even my fiercest glare often pales in comparison to their urgent need to share every thought that pops into their heads: “I just leveled up!” “My foot is asleep!” “Is there something on my face?!” “Ella just bumped into me on purpose!”
The only true remedy for this scenario is time. I know there will come a day when they won’t rush to share every fleeting thought with me. I won’t be their first stop for sharing life’s pressing concerns. Sure, the topics will shift away from glow-in-the-dark slime, but I’ll be lucky to hear about them during our occasional phone calls, made out of guilt. When they remember. (Cue the violins.)
So, for now, even though interruptions can be frustrating and I’ll continue to teach them about polite communication, I’ll strive to remember that what matters to them should matter to me too—even if it’s about something as trivial as glow-in-the-dark slime.
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Summary:
In the chaotic world of parenting, interruptions from children can feel relentless. Despite the distractions, it’s important to remember that their concerns, no matter how trivial they may seem, hold significance for them. Acknowledging and valuing these moments, even when they come in the form of wild requests or bizarre facts, can strengthen the parent-child bond.
Keyphrase: parenting interruptions
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