It’s never too early to teach kids manners, especially when entertaining.  Having additional people around adds an element of excitement youngsters don’t ordinarily have to cope with. When toddlers have something to say they can’t help but blurt it out. Their enthusiasm just takes over and they forget their manners. Teaching kids not to interrupt adult conversations can be quite simple. Try these three simple tips:

1.  Set up rules – Before you have guests over, explain company rules to your child.  Explain that it is rude to interrupt a conversation.  Remind your toddler that when he comes into a room and sees that you’re having a conversation or you’re talking on the phone, that he needs to stand next to you quietly and place his hand on your wrist or squeeze your hand.  This will allow you to finish your thought and then you can turn to him and give him your undivided attention.  It may take a few tries before he catches on, but once he does, adult conversations will be much more pleasant.

2.  Model good manners – No matter how long your toddler’s story is, do not interrupt him.  Allow him to finish his thoughts before you interject.  This will teach him how the flow of conversation should go.  It is just like taking turns with a toy.

3.  Practice entering a conversation – Teach your tot how to politely enter a conversation by saying, “Excuse me”. Praise him when he remembers to take his turn speaking. Practicing in the safety of his own home will help prepare him for company or being in a public place.

Keep in mind that there are times when kids need to interrupt.  For instance:

• They need help going to the restroom and it can’t wait
• Someone was injured and needs adult attention
• Something was broken and it is causing damage like an overflowing toilet

Be specific when it is ok to interrupt a conversation and when it can wait for a pause in the conversation.

Kids need to learn that it is impolite to interrupt when another person is speaking.  Understanding that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard and share their stories is vital before starting school.  Teaching kids to respect others’ feelings will help squash this behavior.

When teaching new skills, creating a united front with family members is crucial for success.  Before you start the training process, sit down with family members and care givers to share the training method and desired results.  Ask them to model the same behavior for your kids to imitate.

About Jennifer Chung & Kinsights:

Jennifer Chung is a parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights.com: part parenting community, part online health record. Kinsights provides parents with a safe place to seek answers to their questions while also helping them track their child’s health information. Organize your child’s growth and developmental milestones, immunizations, medications, allergies, and more.  Connect with Kinsights at www.kinsights.com to learn more and sign-up! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@kinsights).

The post How To Teach Kids Not To Interrupt appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Today’s youth are bombarded with a multitude of stressors—a great deal more than we ever faced as kids.  There’s societal stress, the burden of homework and school performance, peer pressure and bullying and the demand of extra-curricular activities. These factors can all trigger anxiety and stress in children. Daddy Nickell shares some insight on how to spot signs of stress in your kids:

1.  Watch your child’s behavior and be concerned if you notice they’ve lost interest in things they were previously interested in such as sports or art.  If they are withdrawing from your family and their friends and start isolating themselves, there’s cause to be alarmed and start the conversation with them.  And remember not to trivialize their issues. As their parent, it’s important for you to make them feel valid. What seems small or unimportant to you might be big to them.

2.  As a parent, you see sides of your child that a teacher or coach may not see, like their eating or sleeping habits. Life gets busy, but it’s important to take time and note your child’s everyday behaviors such as eating, sleeping and overall disposition.  If they aren’t eating family meals like they used to, are having issues like increased anger or hyperactivity or start having nightmares or insomnia for no obvious reason, it’s time for a sit down heart-to-heart to see if there’s something going on that you’re not aware of. If the behavior feels strangely out of character for your child, don’t chalk it up to a “stage” or teenage angst without doing some digging.

3.  If you’re noticing some different behavior from your child at home, check in with your child’s teacher to see how your child is performing in class. You’ll get another perspective and their teacher might have more to offer you in terms of their ability to concentrate in class, completing of their homework or general personality during the day.  These are important keys to finding out if something is going on with your child.

4.  Trust your instincts as a parent. If something feels “off” with your child, don’t assume anything or be afraid to ask them. If something in the pit of your stomach tells you to investigate deeper, do it.  Your child needs you to be their advocate and help them guide them through rough times.

Remember to really listen to your kids, stay tuned in to their world and watch for different behaviors they may exhibit.  Being a parent can be a tough job but you can do it! 

Sincerely, 

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds plus apparel and gifts for new dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post How to Spot Signs of Stress in Children appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.