teaching your children how to properly and respectfully interrupt adults

Here's how the interrupt rule works:

-If your child needs to get your attention while you are busy, they are to quietly approach you and lay a hand on your shoulder or arm. 

-You should immediately acknowledge them, with eye contact or your hand on top of theirs. That way, they know that you know that they need you. But they don't say a word, yet.

-Then they wait. Once there is a natural break in your conversation or you are done with what you are doing, you can turn to them and give them your undivided attention. 

It's that simple! 

My boys have applied the interrupt rule to all the adults in their lives whom they ever may need to interrupt, completely unprompted. They just like it, I guess. They even use it on each other which is so stinkin' sweet. It is quite fun explaining to unsuspecting family members or friends why my child is just standing next to them with their hand on their shoulder. Usually the adult is surprised and impressed at how mature they are acting and want to implement it in their own homes with their kids. 

In training kids up this way, they learn self control, patience, and respect for their elders time and space. 

And I don't have to be interrupted anymore! Parenting tip for the win.