Most information our toddler wants to give us is valued and important. Unfortunately, it rarely is shared with us until we’re on the phone, and this is a mystery no person has solved as of yet. We can’t figure out the toddler mind, but we can give you some ideas on ways to stop the interruptions and allow yourself the opportunity to catch up with friends and family.

There are a few good tricks to getting your child to stop interrupting your calls. Below you’ll find three interesting ways to keep your child quiet when you’re on the line. These aren’t fool-proof because some kids are more spirited than others, but if you try one and it doesn’t work then try another until you finally achieve the amazing, uninterrupted call.

Talk and He Shall Listen Trick
Yes, toddlers can be stubborn, but some do actually listen to what mom and dad say. Sit your toddler down and tell him how his phone interruptions make you feel. Do a role play activity where you have a friend or grandma call and talk to your child. Interrupt their conversation half way through and then ask your child how he felt about your interruption. Let him know that when he interrupts your calls it makes you feel the same way. Then you can get on the phone, talk a little and ask him to sit quietly until you’re done or suggest he go and play while you’re talking. Give him some suggestions of what he can do to stay quiet while you’re on the phone. If your child has a toy phone you can role play with that as well.

Limit Interruptions Trick
If your child still interrupts after you explain your annoyance, then try this next step. Let your child know that you will allow him to interrupt you only 2 times while you’re on the phone. If he’s a talkative child you might need to allow more until he gets used to this process. Let him know that if he needs to interrupt it better be important because he’s only allowed to interrupt 2 times while you’re talking. If he interrupts more than his limit then he’ll have to go sit in his room the same amount of time he interrupted your calls.

You can even make “phone interruption” cards. Use construction paper and cut it into two medium size cards. Write the number 1 on one card and the number 2 on the other. You can make this fun and cut the card into the shape of a phone or have your child draw a phone on the card. Put the cards in a drawer near the phone base. If your child needs to interrupt then he’s to get his first card and hand it to you. Then you can say “hold on” to your phone partner and respond to the interruption. Once the second card has been used then your child is not allowed any more interruptions. I also suggest you make a few extra cards in red, cut in the shape of phones. If your child interrupts after his limit has been met, then you can hand him one of the red phone cards so he knows he’s over his allowed interruption times. When the phone call is over; count up the number of red cards and have your child sit in his room the number of minutes equaling the number of cards.

Phone Toy Box Trick
If your phone talk and phone cards didn’t do the trick then you might need to step-it-up a notch. This ploy will get them every time. Create a phone toy box. This is a toy box that can only be opened by your child when you are on the phone. Get a medium sized plastic bin and write Phone Toy Box on the lid. Purchase one or two fun toys that will keep your child entertained for a while.

The following types of toys are perfect: toy trucks or cars, dollhouse or farmhouse with accessories, stacking toys, kids building sets and blocks, play dough or arts and craft sets, educational toys, kid’s puzzles, kid’s play figures or other toys that will keep your child occupied. Place the toys in the phone toy box. Tell your child that whenever you’re on the phone he’ll get to play with those toys, but if he interrupts you even once then the toys go back into the box and up on the shelf. If there are no interruptions then he can continue playing with the phone toys even after your call.

You might consider buying a new toy for your child’s phone toy box every 3 – 6 months so your child continues to be excited about his phone playtime. This will ensure fewer interruptions and better phone conversations between you and your friends.


About the Author
Creating a strong bond with your child is every parent’s goal. Kim Proulx, a Certified Parent Coach, understands the importance of connecting with your youngster. One way she encourages parents to build that relationship is through play. SimplyKidsToys.com has fun kid’s play figures that are perfect for imaginative play.

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