When Your Kid Interrupts Facetime Calls
Ever tried having a peaceful Facetime call only to find your child repeatedly popping into view? Here's what you can do about it.
First, try setting up a specific 'Facetime spot' in your home. This worked wonders for us: a corner in the living room (near the ficus tree, of all places) became the designated spot where kids knew they could quietly play. It’s surprisingly effective, though sometimes I still need to remind my little one to stick to their spot.
Kids interrupt for attention. It’s their not-so-subtle way of saying, “Hey, I exist too!” Understanding this helps frame our response. When I first realized this, it was like being let in on a secret. Suddenly, those interruptions weren’t just random acts of chaos but a predictable, albeit frustrating, cry for connection.
Here's what I’ve tried:
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Pre-call Prep: Before starting a call, I give a quick heads-up: "I'm going on Facetime for around 20 minutes. Can you choose some playthings to keep you busy during this time?" Having a pre-call chat helps set expectations.
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Magic Words: During the call, if they interrupt, say calmly, "I’ll finish soon, but if you need me, grab your special book (or anything they love), and we can read it once I'm done."
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Visual Timer: Use a visual timer. My kitchen's basic egg timer has become a trusty ally. It signals them just how long they'll need to wait, and oddly, they find the tick-tock entertaining.
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Reward for Patience: Once the call ends, acknowledge their patience with something small — like ten extra minutes at bedtime to play a game they enjoy or read their favorite story. Reinforcement doesn’t hurt.
I remember the time my daughter decided her toy dinosaur had an urgent medical issue that only I could resolve. I paused, addressed Dinosaur Dan's 'emergency', and we all had a laugh about it later.
One Last Tip: Sometimes, they'll still interrupt. Kids are like that. But having a reliable strategy makes these interruptions less chaotic and more manageable.