21. What to Do When Your Child Interrupts: Why it Happens & How to Respond

You sit down to eat dinner after a long, exhausting day. You’re ready to enjoy your meal and chat with your partner … when your child interrupts with something they have to say right now. And then a few minutes later, your partner is telling a story … when your child interrupts again. 

In this week’s episode, I answer a listener who asks: Why do kids interrupt? And how should parents respond? I dive into what’s often happening when kids interrupt, how to handle these tough moments, and a trick that’s helped my own kids navigate the need to connect with us while we’re involved in other conversations. 

Here’s the thing: Our kids need to feel included and know that they can access us when they need us, even when we’re talking to someone else. When we can meet those needs, kids are way less likely to interrupt and will be increasingly able to engage in conversation with us!