Hello!

OK mummas, how in the world do I get my almost Miss 4 to wait until adults are finished talking before jumping in? Currently even with constant coaching, she can’t grasp the idea and it’s driving us insane!

She also gets really angry and frustrated when we ask her to wait until we are finished. Even if I say “one moment we are talking” and hold her hand so she knows I haven’t forgotten she still pesters and talks over us.

What’s worse is other people like grandparents etc pander to it…. argh!

So I need tips to stop the butting in… and fast!

Thanks :)


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  • Children that age still have to learn social skills, just be gentle and patience with them and explain your daughter she has to wait her turn. You could do this with a stop sign as well, holding your hand up when she interrupts and continuing the conversation with the person you were talking to. Then after you’re finished turn to your daughter and tell her now it’s your turn. What did you like to tell.


  • Yep, i’m living this too, with a 4 and 5 year old. It’s like banging your head against the wall. I try to ignore it, but they just get louder. and i find that if I’m talking to friends who don’t have kids, they will stop talking. With friends who have kids, we know that we just have to push on through!


  • With kids, repetition and patience are the keys. Keep reminding her, maybe even ignore her if required


  • I find often the worst time is when you are on the phone. (Sometimes it’s because they know who you are taking to and want to say hello too – but it’s not always convenient)…… You need to speak to the grandparents. Make them understand that it is rude and the habit needs to be stopped now, not later. She is going to get into a lot of trouble when she starts school. I would point that out to the grandparents too. We tried ignoring for a few weeks but it didn’t work.


  • Perhaps if she does it again , tell her that everyone will ignore her if she butts in . Of course everyone has to have the same rules otherwise she will think that you are wrong and will ignore your rules . My son didn’t like talking much , but my daughter was just bossy when she talked so didn’t have that type of problem .


  • good luck – I was a very strict Mum, and Nick had to say excuse me mum if he wanted to butt in, and if I said in a minute, hold that thought, he did…. In retrospect I was lucky. I think with kids, it is stages not ages…. this too shall pass x


  • Firstly, let those close to you (eg grandparents!) know the issue and that you need help for it. Secondly, she shouldn’t really be ganging round when grown ups are talking. Thirdly, persist, it takes a while for kids to pick up some thingS


  • I’d try ignoring her all together & keep talking as you were. When your conversation has finished then give her your time.


  • I also have the same problem with my kids and I just keep persisting to tell them to wait until the adults finish speaking it’s hard but I just keep at them.


  • persisting is all you can do! i feel your pain! x


  • it is usually to get attention – my daugther does it all the time too – persistence is key and keep reassuring her you will listen to her soon.


  • Unfortunately I think persisting is your only hope. We’re still working on this one!


  • maybe each time that she does wait her turn compliment her and make a big deal of it so she realises she’s done a good thing. I have the same problem with Mr 5 and I’m finding that I have been holding my hand out towards him like I”m saying stop and he waits sometimes lol but it’s still a work in progress and I guess all we can do is make sure that we can be quick with what we are saying as they are a lot smaller and don’t understand the concept like we do. Even if you can quickly say what you need to, let her say her piece then carry on :)


  • I need a solution to this problem too!


  • Time outs dont really work for interrupting. We have rules about when its “your turn” we tell her when her turn will happen etc and I hold her hand while adults talk so she knows shes not forgotten but she keeps trying to jump in. Its really frustrating!


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