One of my old friends has 4 year old son who just doesn't shut the hell up and loves to interrupt. Here is how you manage that situation with kids who are under 5 years of age (and I thank my own parents for teaching me this one):
1. Get a small container, possibly an older jewelery box or something made out of wicker. What ever you do, make sure it is not transparent (no clear shoe boxes!);
2. Place the box in a semi public place in your house, out of reach of your children;
3. The next time the child interrupts, bring them over to the box and tell them the following, word for word:
You see that box up there (point to the box). That is where mommy and daddy (or substitute your name if you are not the child's parent) keep the tongues of little boys and girls who talk too much. Do you want me to take your tongue and put it in there?
Now wait for an answer, which in all situations is "No". This little management tool plays on the fact that until children are about 5 years of age (or until they stop believing in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny), they believe body parts are easily detachable. To test this hypothesis out, tell any two year old that you are going to steal their nose and they inevitably get a little distraught.
4. The next time the child speaks out of turn or is generally talking too much, gently remind them about the tongue box. It should have the desired effect. Eventually you should just be able to shoot them a look and the kid will get the message. You can thank Pavlov for that one.
5. If you use this management tool on a child who is not your own, be prepared for a little non-constructive feedback from the child's parents. Manage this situation by telling the parents that you would not be forced to use this tactic if the kids were well behaved to begin with. Alternatively, you can use the adult version of the tongue box management tool by telling the parents that if they don't shut up, you'll call the immigration department about their illegal nanny.
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