Every day, I hear children competing for a parent’s attention in public: “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” or “Where are we going? What does this mean? Mommy? Mommy? Daddy?” Meanwhile, the parent is carrying on a conversation with another adult, fussing over another, younger child, or simply ignoring the child who is getting increasingly louder and more manic. A word or two of attention from the parent could quiet and reassure the child and make things more pleasant and peaceful.
Take it from someone who’s been there, I know how weary a parent can get of hearing questions and comments and interruptions from a child–especially when you are trying to focus, run errands, or get something done. And, I do think there is a difference between a child who is throwing a temper tantrum to get his or her own way and one who is trying to get mom or dad’s attention for reassurance or to get a question answered. I’ve learned that a little attention and reassurance can go a long way. Plus, what sort of message are we sending to our kids when we ignore them as they try to talk to us? This usually just makes the child feel increasingly insecure, which makes him work all the harder to get mom or dad’s attention and this can mean the question-asking reaches manic and epic proportions until the exasperated parent snaps at the child just to shut him up.
Instead of ignoring your child, acknowledging the question and the child’s presence or a quick explanation or reassurance is usually all it takes: “I hear you Jimmy, we’ll be at the library in 10 minutes, and then we’ll go have lunch.” It doesn’t hurt to pull a child in for a reassuring hug and to look him in the eyes just to let him know that you’re still paying attention to him, even if you appear distracted by the tasks at hand. Your child will behave better in public and all those who come in contact with your little family will appreciate your parenting skills as well!
See Also: Have You Ever Been Scolded in Public?
Do You Worry What Other Parents Think?