How to Teach Your Kids to Stop Interrupting (2024)

Are you tired of telling your child to stop interrupting? Do you have a child that relentlessly interrupts you? This simple tip is sure to help!

I remember being on a video conference call (with people I really wanted to impress) when it happened. I was all smiles in the camera, microphone on, when my youngest comes barreling through the door screaming, “HE WON’T GIVE ME MY LEGO FIGURE BACK!” I looked up with eyes that could cut glass, and he knew. A line had been crossed. I fumbled through an apology with a red face and made a mental note that this issue needed addressing.

I would bet you have a similar story. And I would venture to guess it drives you nuts too. The very second you get on the phone, every kid in the house needs something. While they are spewing their needs at you, you are secretly hoping you can crawl in a hole. It’s embarrassing when a child interrupts. It’s rude and obnoxious. Plus, it renders your conversation ineffective. I mean, who wants to talk to someone who is constantly saying, “I’m sorry. Now, where were we?”

But don’t worry, my friend. You won’t have to crawl in that hole. There is a simple and effective solution to help kids stop interrupting. In fact, in 9 years of teaching public school, I never found a child who didn’t respond to this rule!

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Why Teach Kids to Stop Interrupting?

Before we get to the “how,” let’s look at the “why.” Why would it even matter to teach kids to stop interrupting? Other than being annoying, does interrupting have any greater significance?

Allowing kids to interrupt when we’re in conversations teaches them that what they want, when they want it, is most important. It teaches them self-focus and self-elevation. And believe me, humans need no help learning selfishness. If anything, we have to actively fight against our selfish tendencies. When we teach kids to stop interrupting, it helps create a culture of selflessness and patience. It teaches them to put others first and to think before they speak.

How to Teach Your Kids to Stop Interrupting

Now for the “how.” It’s not magical or complex. In fact, it’s just one little thing. But I promise you’ll be amazed. What is the interrupt rule? When your child wants to say something toyou, they simply need to place their hand on you. They can put their hand on your leg, hand, or arm. It kinda depends on how old the child is and whether or not you are sitting or standing. Then, they must wait for you to respond.

Why do this? Allowing your child to put their hand on you gives them the chance to give you a non-verbal cue that they need something, yet still not interrupt the conversation. This is a vital skill to develop.

It also helps Mom to focus. Maybe you are like me and sometimes tune out the voices of the kids when you are trying to focus on something. If they place their hand on you, the physical sensation will make you immediately aware.

How Do You Train Them to Stop Interrupting?

If you just tell your child the rule to stop their interrupting, there isn’t much chance they are going to just do it. Remember, it’s not a magic pill. Like anything in parenting, we will need training.Practice this with siblings and phone conversations first. I even make fake phone calls sometimes!

If they interrupt you, put your hand on them—near their mouth if need be. Or you can hold up your hand offering a “stop” sign. Whatever you do, DO NOT talk to the child until he/she has properly placed their hand on you and waited for you to respond. With little ones, you might even need to place their hand on your leg for them. Then place your finger to their mouth to remind them.

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I promise with a little bit of practice, your kids will shock and amaze you. When I was a teacher, most of the class had this down within a few days of school starting! The key is to never give in.

Now don’t worry. If you haven’t started this with your kids, it’s not too late. Remember, I trained brand-new kids in the classroom every year. I would suggest that you sit your child down and say something like this, “I realize that I have been letting you interrupt, and that is not polite. I am going to teach you a way to stop interrupting while still getting my attention.”

What If You Have a Chronic Offender?

You may be thinking, “You haven’t met my child!” Some children really are “chronic offenders” when it comes to interrupting. But it isn’t hopeless! Even if your kids have done this for years, you can still implement some things to help stop interrupting.

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A reader wrote me a few weeks ago and asked what I might suggest for her 12-year-old son who is a chronic interrupter. Bear in mind, this child is 12. I probably wouldn’t offer the same advice to someone with a 6-year-old. In fact, I would say to follow the simple steps above and keep being consistent. But at 12, the issue is much larger, and his cooperation will play into this. Here is the suggestion I gave her:

I would consider making it a priority with the highest consequence. Sit him down and explain why it is important to you and to his effectiveness as an adult. Then, tell him that you want to work with him to remind him to stop interrupting. Perhaps a monetary thing would work with his age. Maybe a jar with $20 in it at the beginning of the month, then each time he interrupts he has to pay $1 for a rudeness penalty. If he can stop interrupting, he will have $20 at the end of the month. That ought to motivate him to try to correct the problem. You may need to adjust the money and penalty fee or time frame based on how often this really happens. If it’s super bad, you might need to start with 1 week at a time. You want him to succeed. You also want the penalty to hurt.

So, now it’s your turn. Have you tried this trick? What suggestions do you have to stop interrupting?

Get more tips here —→ How to help kids obey

A Resource for Further Help

You may be dealing with a child who not only won’t stop interrupting but also struggles to obey in many or all things you ask. It’s both normal and human to rebel. But there are some things we as parents can do to help teach kids the importance of obedience. I’ve written a Bible study called Obey that will lead your kids to discover the “why” and the “how” behind obedience. Click the image below to check it out!

TheObey Bible Studyis part of ourRelationship Series, designed to teach your kids Biblical principles for developing and strengthening Christian relationships. Each bundle box contains five age-appropriate Bible studies: Obey, My Brother’s Keeper, Making Peace, Becoming a Servant, and Navigating Friendships— plus, some fun bonus items!