My son will not let me talk on the phone?

Question

THis really drives me crazy, I just don't know what to do. The five minutes that I get on the phone to take care of something importnant like with the construction of our home he's whining and screaming about something. I just don't know what to do, I have to cut the conversations short and don't get to get what I need out of the conversation. It's really taking a toll on my sanity. What do I do I just want to smack him really hard but I just feel that's wrong. WHAT do I Do???!!!
He's only 3 by the way.

for those who are retarded like no angel Harriet, people can't make calls to the township or take care of other administrative stuff at night, duhhhh!

Answer 1

Maybe making him play in his room while you have to talk on the phone would help.. It's good for kids to play in their rooms anyways and this way he's not interrupting your conversations!!

Answer 2

Yeah, smack him really hard! That'll shut him up for sure. Idiot.
I don't exactly have an answer for you because my youngest does the same thing. I ask the person who I'm speaking with to hold on for a minute then I ask my daughter to please be nice and go to her room while I'm on the phone and I'll talk to her as soon as I'm finished. It works sometimes. Go into another room, while making sure your child is safe unattended for a few minutes, tell the person on the phone that you need to end this phone call as soon as possible because of a toddler so things need to be wrapped up quickly. Wait til' he's taking a nap, get him interested in a snack and a TV program or a movie. I'm sure you can figure this out..Just DONT smack him.

Answer 3

since he's only 3, simple instructions & a firm voice may be the way to go. A firm "no" w/a stern look will tell him his actions are not acceptable. If he continues, place the caller on hold, and physically move him to another location. He has to learn that his whining will not cause you to drop everything & get off the phone. In all fairness, try not to have conversations that are too long when he's around. I found that my daughter was better able to control herself if I kept my calls to a reasonable length.

Answer 4

Sit him down when you are not on the phone. Tell him that when mommy is on the phone it is his time to be a big boy and play quietly. When you are done on the phone and he has been good he will get a yummy treat.
This does not stop at 3! It will continue until they are teenagers, so stop it now!
Our boys are older and I will lift my finger when on the phone and if they don't stop what they are doing I TAKE something away, I am not just talking a little loud, I am talking knock out drag out fights here (the older teenagers). I learned through mistakes...usually I take away there game systems.
Do not give in if he doesn't follow the rules, but also fallow through if he does play quietly. If you do not follow through he will not believe you next time.....

Answer 5

Please don't smack him - that won't teach him anything. Try giving him an activity when you need to be on the phone or secure him in a safe place and go to a different room to call (only for a couple of minutes) or try giving him a play phone so he can mimic you while your on the phone or offer him a treat if he can be quiet while you're talking or have him play with a playmate or a relative. Get creative. But you have to endeavor to keep the calls short for the first while until he gets used to quiet time while mom's talking - you can't expect him to be occupied for an hour the first time.

Answer 6

My son used to do this. When i was on the phone and he was playing up i would put him into his room until he was ready to come back into the living room without shouting and screeching because mummy was on the phone. It seemed to work because i cannot remember the last time he did it.
I know how frustrating it is but i would suggest putting him into his and tell him he can only come out once he behaves himself. You probably will not even have to do it that many times to get him to understand that he does not act this way when mummy is on the phone.

Good luck

Leanne (mummy to a 2 year old)

Answer 7

OK---when the phone rings, give the child some kind of activity to do to take his mind off of u on the phone, like punchin empty egg cartons or a crayon and paper or baby scissors and magazines.
The child is irritable because u are on the phone and not givin him any attention, just give the child activities right away.
Good Luck.

Answer 8

have some trial conversations with a friend or relative. Every time he starts acting out, excuse yourself from the phone and put him in time out. Be very persistent. You may need to have many frequently interrupted conversations (that is why I suggest a friend or family member, or perhaps talk to a dead line) Hopefully with a little consistent discipline he leave you alone long enough to complete a conversation.

You really want to instill in him that this is your time, as phone calls are unpredictable you want him to learn to adequately entertain himself for those few minutes.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, when a child, any child is three, they feel that they should be the center of your attention. No matter what. So mom talking on the phone, or heaven forbid, going to the bathroom by yourself are practically out of the question. When I had something important I needed to take care of, I used to distract my kids at that age, get them to coloring or something and then make my call, or whatever it was that needed doing. It can't hurt to try. Good Luck.

Answer 10

Oh, do I ever feel your pain! No one bothers me here....until I get on the phone.

To counter this, before I make the call I tell my toddler what I'm about to do and that it is very important that I have quiet. Give them something to do while you are on the phone, a special tv show, a craft, a toy...and if worse comes to worst, then excuse yourself to the caller for a reminder for the toddler. Most people have children and understand.

Answer 11

Don't smack him, but make it clear who the parent is. He's laboring under the delusion that he is the Boss Of You. You need to disabuse him of this notion pretty darn quick, or he's going to make life hell for you and for everyone else who has to deal with him.

You tell him before you get on the phone: "Don't interrupt while I'm on the phone, or _____ will happen." If he interrupts, make damn sure that _____ happens. Every time.

He needs to learn that choices have consequences, and being a whiny phone interrupting hellion will have NEGATIVE consequences.

Take charge of this kid. He has no other mom but you.