Stop the Interruptions

You are feeling overwhelmed, there is so much to do but every time you try to do anything the kids interrupt you … read on for my tips on how to stop the interruptions, get your tasks done and feel better at the end of every day.

I explained in my post ‘overcoming overwhelmed’ that one of the steps to stop feeling overwhelmed is to eliminate interruptions while you get tasks done. This can be as easy as turning off notifications on your phone, leaving the TV off, or locking your front door but how do you stop kids interrupting you so you can get something done?!

READ MORE: Find out why I took a break from blogging, and now that I am back, what I learned about how to overcome your feelings of being overwhelmed with practical advice of what you can do right now to make a positive difference in your life.

Obviously try and focus when the kids aren’t there, whether they are at school, visiting Grandma, down at the park with Dad or fast asleep, it is always the easiest option. With the obvious aside, let us be realistic, they are at home and asking you for something every five minutes – I’m hungry, I need this Lego pulled apart, I can’t find …, Watch me, Where’s …, I want a cuddle, Screaming, just screaming - from another room in the house …. see, I get it. We have all been there, we are all doing that. So how do you stop the interruptions?

What is your magic number?

First, you need to find the magic number. That is, the number of minutes you can have your child/ren happily be occupied with something else. This is the time frame you need to try and break your tasks down into, anything more than your magic number and you are dreaming. When you are interrupted it can take you another 20 minutes just to get re-focused on your task. At the moment, my magic number is 20 minutes. So I try to break down all of my tasks into 20 minute or less tasks. I might not get something completed all at once but I have taken a productive step towards getting it done and that is better than nothing.

My favourite tactic is to give them the task of setting up the next activity you will play with them. This lets them know you will give them all of your attention if you can just finish this task first. It gives them something positive to reinforce their behaviour with, gives them control over what the activity will be and they will often spend a lot of time making sure it is just right.

Another great idea is to get them involved in your task. Depending on their age and the task, this isn’t always possible, but if you can make them feel included in what you are doing, they are more likely to let you get it done in peace. For instance if you are doing the housework give them a wet cloth to wash the windows, or a broom to sweep. The task you give them might not really be helping, but if they feel like they are that is all that matters.

Snack time is always a good opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. I like to make it fun by either making the actual food the feature with something a bit different or sit them somewhere fun like in the cubby, on a picnic blanket outside, with a heap of teddies and toys like a tea party, as long as it adds an extra element of distraction.

Give them something to do - set up a water play station in the backyard and sit somewhere you can work on your task and observe them. Add some dishwashing bubbles to it and get them to wash all of their outdoor toys. Give them a colouring in to do. Put on their favourite TV show. Give them free reign with the dress up box. Have them build a block city.

The list is endless, you just need to find what works for you and what your magic number is.

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How do you distract your kids so you can get things done? What’s your magic number?