Are kids always so needy for attention?

Question

My daugther I am always with her cause I am not working at the time. But no matter how much attention I give her. If I am on the phone she starts whining. If am taking to an adult she starts misbehaving. Why does she act like that? Do all kids do that? Its starting to get on my nerves. Cause I can't have a normal conversation with someone on the phone because I hear her crying or nagging.

She is 3 years old.

Answer 1

All kids have a natural tendency to do that. You need to give her quality one on one time. Always include her in your chores so that she has a sense of need and knows how to function in a team. Next, you need to teach her that she needs to play quietly by herself. Give her something interesting to do. If she interupts you- always excuse yourself to instruct her that she is not being polite. She is more important than anything else you have to do- I'm not saying this to tell you that you must give her your absolute undivided attention above anything else all the time- I am telling you that her instruction is more important than anything.

Stick to a strict regimine of discipline. After you instruct her on what she is to do, expect good behavior out of her. If she disobeys, be swift in correcting her and use the same corrective measures each and every time. Don't change it up. Then remind her of what she is to do again.

There is nothing wrong with you excusing yourself in the middle of a conversation to correct and instruct your child. However, do not give in to her beggings when she is rude. Make it so she will think twice about the rude behavior again. Meaning, if she is whining while you are talking to another adult, excuse yourself, take your daughter into another room (don't embarass her in front of others) and tell her that she is not being polite by interrupting. Give her two swats on her legs, or behind, or whatever, and remind her that she needs to play quitely while Momma is talking. Don't ever correct your child in anger. Do it in love, with a smile on your face.

And always, before you do something, remind her of what you expect out of her. Before the phone call or conversation.

Answer 2

How old is she? My 2 year old can be like that at times. She is worse when she is not feeling well or she hears her sister crying. I am not sure why they act like that, probably because you are not 100% attention directed towards them even though you are answering but may be doing something else at the same time. I think this has been bothering my husband too because anytime my daughter wakes up from her nap she wants him even if he is trying to do something else. Maybe before you talk on the phone get out a favorite toy or some crayons or put on her favorite video and try to multi-task while on the phone. It will show her that you are still trying to play with her but are on the phone as well. I am guessing that she is anywhere between 15 months and 2.5 years. Am I close?

Answer 3

Children who are used to undivided attention will act out if they don't receive the attention they are used to. The next time she starts say "Honey, mom is on the phone. If it is an emergency then I will stop and hear what you have to say...otherwise, go play in your room." If that doesn't stop it, then when she does it again, say "okay, since you aren't listening to what mama asked you to do then you can have time out" and put her in a chair for the number of minutes that correspond to her age. On the same hand, you need to reward her for complying. If she does what you ask, then when you get finished w/your conversation, say "Well since you were so nice and did what mom asked, then why don't we sit down and read a book together (watch a show together, color together). Then ignore the phone if it rings for just a little while.

Answer 4

this is the age you have to discipline. telling her off from doing these things would start. remember she is just a kid, she doesnt know any better. If your on the phone next time, tell the person on the phone to hold on, go up to her, down to her level and in a firm tone tell her to mommy is trying to talk on the phone, you have to be quiet. if she does it again, thats when you act on it. teaching her why she has to be quiet would stop her from crying.
If she doesnt listen, you take her hand, and sit her on a naughty step for 3 minutes, tell her she must sit on the step for 3 minutes as she did not listen to you, if she keeps coming away, without talking, take her hand and place her on the step until she stays

after the 3 minutes, go to her, go down to her level, and tell her why you did that, and ask her what she has to say, it should be a sorry and then hug to make up.
try it.

Answer 5

I have always noticed that my kids never seem to need my attention unless I am on the phone or talking to someone else. My nieces and nephews all do the same thing. It is just part of being a mom.

Answer 6

Yes, it's normal. Manners takes years of practice. My 8 year old doesn't even have it down pat yet - I have to remind her to not interupt me when I get a phone call too. Your best bet is to figure out a way to cope, and be patient as you remind her over and over what your rules are when you're talking to a grownup or on the phone.

Answer 7

Ok yes all kids do this. However I have a wonderful solution. Do you have a play pen? (age appropriate) Then you can put her in it when you get on the phone and know that she won't get hurt. IGNORE this behavior because if you don't then when she is older it only gets worse. Living proof of that.

Answer 8

You need to talk to her about considering your need for time to do other things, too. She should respect your time & needs as you do hers. You have to teach her to do this.

Let her know that, if she can't respect your time when you're doing other things or talking with other people, then you'll have to put her in a safe place on her own during that time (timeout somewhere), because mommy and other people deserve respect, too.

Patience - she can learn this & you can teach her. You will be so proud of her (and she of herself) once she learns how to respect others as much as they respect her.

Answer 9

Normal.

Answer 10

Totally normal. Sounds like an average day in our house.