Often, I'll ask (or tell) the kids to be quiet for some reason or another, and they decide it's okay to talk, because, in their words, "It's really important."
"Mom, I know you told me to go to bed, but I have to tell you something. It's really important."
"I know you're talking to someone else, but listen, it's really important."
"I know we're in Sacrament Meeting and I'm supposed to be silent, but it's really important!"
Nine times out of ten (no, I haven't actually counted, I'm taking a cue from Peter's math homework and estimating) what they need to tell me does not meet my definition of important. But then there's that one time that what they have to say is important. We found out a boy at school has been shoving Cooper; this revelation came while Cooper was supposed to be going to sleep. It was actually important for us to know.
How do you filter the really important out from amongst the moderately important and the mildly interesting? Is there a way to gauge if what they're about to say truly needs to be heard or simply needs to be said?
I'll let you in on a little secret: my children talk a lot. A lot. A LOT. A good portion of that talking happens while they should be listening, or when I'm talking to someone else.
How do I teach them to hold those comments until I can give them my attention? No really, does anyone have any good suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I was reading an article where this lady taught her kids that if they have something they need to say and mom is on the phone or talking to someone they put their hand on her arm. She puts a hand on their hand to show she knows they are there and then she moves her hand after they have talked. Sounded amazing to me, but she said it worked. I haven't tried it. Also, I don't know how old her child (or children?) were.
I must have read the same article Melinda did. We have tried that idea and it worked pretty well with my kids (well, the two older ones, anyway), but since then we've sort of gotten lax about it (it's something that never got past the needing-them-to-remind-them stage). I should start teaching them again.
Post a Comment