There are great resources out there for parents who need their kids to stop interrupting them. I personally prefer the free ones! In general, most agree in technique anyway. The website I found to be quick and to the point was from http://www.thenaturalparentmagazine.com. I’ll commence the paraphrase:

Teach them about interruptions

Take the time to teach your kiddos when they should interrupt you. For example, if someone is hurt or if there is someone is at the door that’s a worthy interruption. On the flip side, teach them about the things that can wait.

How to Interrupt

Decide how you want your kids to interrupt you. You know they will, so find something everyone agrees on and make you are all on the same page.

Don’t answer

If your kid interrupts you for the wrong reasons and you scold them for it but answer them anyway just to get them on their way… you have reinforced their behavior. They got what they wanted. May have been accompanied with a clipped response, but totally worth it. So, if it isn’t on your list of acceptable interruptions tell them to wait.

Plan ahead

I love Daniel Tiger because it has good parenting tips! The song goes, “When we do something new, lets talk about what we’ll do.” Such helpful advice. Tell them ahead of time that you are going to work in the office for a bit or you are going to take/make a phone call so they know what to expect.

Verbal Affirmation

If your kids are polite and choose to not interrupt or are patient then make sure you praise them for it! Tell them they did a great job. Kids thrive on positive reinforcement so make sure they feel good for doing what you asked.

– Our Plan –

Brian and I decided to go with the quiet, noninvasive “hand on the arm” technique for interrupting. When our kids need something and we are talking, they quietly put their hand on our arm and rest it there (no pounding!). We acknowledge it with a squeeze and then they wait until we are finished. If it is a longer conversation we will periodically squeeze their hand to let them know we haven’t forgotten them. Or, we try to find a natural break in the conversation to ask them what they need. We have been practicing this, and obviously it’s still a work in progress since Micah hasn’t fully embraced the concept of waiting… but they have been significantly better. I notice most of the improvement at the dinner table. At least we don’t have everyone talking over each other at once. One less headache at the end of the day!

---

Pray for Them

Pray for your loved ones to honor Christ in their speech and their actions by being respectful to those they spend time with.

Father, I pray (Name) be a (man/woman) who will “respect those who labor among [him/her] and are over [him/her] in the Lord and admonish [him/her], and [will] esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” May (Name) “be at peace among” (his/her) brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Prayers taken from the BiblicalPrayers mobile app. Download today on the App Store or Google Play store.

---

Chocolate Chip-Coconut Cookies

Two of my favorite things together… chocolate and coconut! This is a recipe is a variation of the original Toll House. I developed it when I was in college working as a part time cookie baker for a local motel. I would deliver the fresh baked cookies to the rooms of guests who were checking in. FUN! We should all find a way to spend our time doing what we love.

• 2 1/4 cups Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup Butter, unsalted
• 1/2 cup Virgin Coconut Oil
• 3/4 cup White Sugar
• 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Shredded Coconut

Sift together flour, soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl cream together butter, oil, white and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time along with vanilla and blend until smooth. Add the chocolate chips and coconut flakes. Spoon dough onto baking sheet in 1″ mounds and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Bake in a preheated, 375 degree oven for 7-9 minutes. Don’t over bake!