7 Effective Hacks To Try If Your Toddler Won't Let You Talk On The Phone

Try these tricks if your toddler won’t let you talk on the phone.

Parenting a toddler is hard work. It requires truck loads of patience.

Toddlers are notorious for engaging in wacky behavior such as drawing on the walls, jumping on the couch and slamming doors.

One of the common parenting struggles is trying to have a normal phone conversation with a toddler in the vicinity.

Whether it’s an important work call or catching up with a friend, it seems like the moment you pick up the phone, your little one decides it’s the perfect time to demand attention.

Don’t worry, you’re totally not alone in this!

Here are some tips and tricks that I’ve gathered that are super useful for managing interruptions when your toddler won’t let you talk on the phone.

Let’s get into it!

7 Tactics You Need To Try If Your Toddler Won’t Let You Talk On The Phone

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1. Set Boundaries

First off, it’s important that you establish clear boundaries with your toddler about phone time. Let them know that when you’re on the phone, it’s not playtime, and they need to wait for your attention.

You do need to make sure that you’re using simple enough words that they can understand.

So it could be something like: “I’m talking on the phone right now. But as soon as I get done, I can’t wait to hear what you have to say”

You will most likely be responded to with a few whines and then even some screams if you continue with your phone conversation.

This is the time when you have to be firm and yet gentle.

Ask your friend whose on the phone to hold on. Then get down to your child’s level, look them straight in the eye and tell them that they have to wait until you’ve finished talking.

If they continue screaming, simply walk away to a room where you can finish off the conversation.

You will most likely come back to find your child throwing a fit. Calmly tell them that you’re done and you can listen to them now.

You’ll need to go through this exercise a lot of times before your child finally accepts the fact that they simply have to wait for your conversation to end.

Tip: practice doing this when you’re on the phone with close friends and family members who understand that your’e trying to teach your child an important lesson. That way, even if they’re screaming their heads off, you don’t need to feel awkward about what the person on the phone is thinking.

2. Respond, Not React

Its super important to reflect on your own behavior in response to your child’s behavior.

Do you react? Do you immediately try to fix whatever it is that they are whining about -either with anger or by giving in?

Is it normal to react? Yes, but as parents it will help us, and help our children, to work on responding instead of reacting — giving ourselves that moment to breathe, perceiving our child as capable of being in their uncomfortable feelings
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3. Do Not Give In To Their Demands

When you’re on the phone, your kids know that you’re desperately trying to have an uninterrupted phone conversation. So they know its a perfect opportunity to ask you for stuff you normally would not allow.

Screen time requests, begging for candy/other treats around the house are the most common demands.

Do not give in. I repeat: do NOT give in.

I used to give in to my kid’s demands for screen time and it lead to very unhealthy associations. As soon as my phone would ring, my kids would start making a TON of noise, start interrupting my conversation and start begging if they could have the iPad.

Desperate to finish off my phone conversation in peace, I’d give in. And this soon became a routine practice. My phone ringing meant screen time for them. It took a lot of work to break away from this cycle.

So please, do not give in your child’s demands for these things .

4. Choose the Right Time for Making Important Calls

Try to make your phone calls during times when your toddler is occupied or napping.

This will reduce the drama that you have to deal with every time you need to talk on the phone. This is especially true when you need to make important phone calls.

However, at some point your toddler will need to learn to let you talk on the phone without interrupting. So this is a good strategy to use in the beginning when your child is still learning the new skill of not interrupting.

5. Engage Them

Sometimes, toddlers crave attention because they feel left out. Engaging them in an activity right before you pick up the phone to make a call can save you a lot of yelps and screechs.

Provide them with a variety of toys or activities that can keep them occupied for a while. Ideas include: arts and craft suppiles, coloring books and puzzles.

Another great idea that works wonders is a Busy Book.

A Busy Book (as the name suggests) is designed to keep your toddler busy. Not just that, but it contains activities that also teach your toddler fundamental skills (like matching, sorting, counting, tracing, phonics activities etc) that lay the foundation for future learning.

The Sweet n Sour Busy Book is an insanely cute Toddler Busy Book (if we do say so ourselves!). Featuring bright and unique illustrations, each page has been crafted to perfection.

Designed to keep toddlers busy, engaged, learning and out of trouble, this little printable bundle is a life saver for toddler parents. Take it along during travel, in the car, at the restaurant or anywhere you’d prefer to replace screen time with something that actually benefits your child.

Check out the Sweet n Sour Busy Book (we promise you won’t be disappointed!).

6. Give Plenty of Undivided Attention

At the end of the day, interrupted phone conversations are a cry for attention. So one thing you HAVE to included in your daily routine is giving your child plenty of uninterrupted attention. This means spending quality time, doing something together with them (talking, hugging, reading a story book, playing) while your phone is put away.

I’ve noticed the days I spend quality time with my kids, they are less clingy. And that’s because their cup is full. They’ve gotten their attention for the day.

7. Be Patient

It’s super important to remember that toddlers are still learning how to regulate their emotions and understand social cues. It’s going to take time for them to grasp the concept of waiting their turn.

So in the meantime, stay patient and consistent in your approach, and eventually, they will learn to respect your phone time.

Remember, it’s all part of the journey of parenthood, and you’re doing a great job!

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7 Effective Hacks To Try If Your Toddler Won’t Let You Talk On The Phone