It’s my turn to talk!
October 19, 2009 by Christine Gooding
Filed under Home & Living
The kids are bickering again. Their voices are rising as they begin to realize the other sibling doesn’t seem to hear them. Before you know it, they’re screaming “Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” at the same time. Now they’re talking at the same time, in high decibel levels, right in front of your face.
It’s time to play referee.
Image credit: www.sxc.hu
With a kitchen timer.
Sit the two camps down. Grab your kitchen timer and set it for three minutes. Ask Kid Number One to air his side of the story within those three minutes. There should be no interruptions from others, just straight talk from whoever’s got the airtime. When the timer goes DING!, let Kid Number Two do the same.
This is a fair way to let both camps air their side and more importantly, be heard. But it’s best that an older person, a parent or a guardian, facilitate the discussion lest the kids start pulling each other’s hair out while the timer’s still going on.
It teaches kids patience, listening skills, and respect for others’ opinions. And hopefully, it spares parents of pulling their kids apart when a verbal fight gets physical!
