Do your kids ask questions while you're reading?
By snowcat46
@snowcat46 (2322)
United States
January 28, 2009 11:04am CST
Have your kids learned to ask for things while you're reading, because they know you'll agree to anything to make them go away? You're not really hearing what they're saying, you're too involved in the book?
All my family has figured out how to get a yes out of me. When I'm in a good book, I really don't hear them, I'll say yes automatically. You're actually saying "yes, I hear you" (even though you really don't) to make them LEAVE. I've been taken that way far too many times... How about you?
4 people like this
16 responses
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
29 Jan 09
My son does not care what you are doing who cares that you are siting on the toilet or sleeping or reading if he wants to know something or wants something he would ask it. Lucky I pay atention as I was like that. I would find a moment when they (my parents) are not paying attention and ask them something so I have learned this trick well he cant use it on me. His father yes my husband blanjks out all the time
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
I bet he has other tricks to try on you though, doesn't he?
1 person likes this
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
29 Jan 09
That he does. He will look you with his sweet eyes and sad face and say mummy I love you and I am half sold.
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Yeah, but when I'm really involved in a book, I don't even know I answered anyone!! That's a bad feeling.
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
28 Jan 09
LOL, when my kids were small, they would do this to me all the time. Finally I got smart and stopped reading MY books when they were around. I started reading THEIR books instead. I laugh and giggle and make funny noises, and eventually they stopped trying to get my attention and would curl up beside me and make me read to them. By the time they were 5 both of them could read their own books, and left me alone to read my own! LOL
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
29 Jan 09
Kids under the age of about 10 can think faster than their parents, so we have to be crafty to stay one step ahead of them! LOL
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Aren't you the crafty one? Sparks, you have a devious mind. I like that in a friend!!!
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Jan 09
my kids use to do the same thing especially when i was on the phone. they may not have said a word to me for an hour or more but u let me get on the phone & that just turned then on. u better watch what u are agreeinh to. lol
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
I'd forgotten about the phone trick! That's usually when the stinker would do something against the rules. The days before cordless phones. You can see them doing something they aren't supposed to, right in front of you, but you can't reach them!! Oh, she drove me crazy with that!! And it was always someone on the phone who would get horribly angry if you didn't pay attention to every word they said. Grrrr!!!
2 people like this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I don't think mine do it because they think I will agree to anything because I don't I can't read when someone is talking to me so I am still paying attention to what they are saying. Mine just are constantly asking questions. It don't matter what I am doing. But when I am reading that is when it drives me the most nuts because I can't listen and read and understand what I am reading at the same time. So eventually I will get annoyed and stop reading.
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Isn't it totally frustrating? Drives a person up the wall.
1 person likes this
yes it does!
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
28 Jan 09
Another thing he does is wait till the very end of the programme or film then downstairs he comes and starts telling you about his day and all sorts,we say wait a minute then thats it ,"you don't want to speak to me do you,You are not interested are you "then by the time he has finished his rant the next programmes on and we never find out who did it.Then we say what are you trying to say mate,then he will huff and puff for a few minutes ,then storm upstairs slamming doors and shouting,and we sit there trying to stay calm and shell shocked.
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Yup. It's the plan. I couldn't get her to tell me about her day no matter how I tried. But if I ignored her when she came in, and just kept reading my book, she'd start to tell me all about her day. But heaven help me if I put it down!! then she'd stop and hide in her room, like normal. So I just pretend I'm still reading, even though I'm listening to every word. It's like a wild animal. Don't make eye contact!! lol
2 people like this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
29 Jan 09
Oh my! Don’t remind me…things have become so bad a few times that I have actually thrown on the floor what I was reading and walked away…to angry and irritated to even hear the small voice apologizing from behind. I know I have been mean but my son really has this extremely irritating habit…just when you are engrossed over some book or mags or whatever, his world just cant seem to wait and he’ll definitely need mummy’s advise then and there (he wont even think of me at other times)…I don’t know, its not that he is seeking favours, but its just a habit with him.
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
I used to think it was a test. Which is more important, the kid or the book. I always wondered if that was why she'd do it. But if I put the book down, she didn't want anything to do with me. When she was really young, I didn't read any new books. It's much easier to put it down if you already know where it's going.
Then as she hit pre-teen, the book was a plan to get a yes. As she hit teenage years, the book was protection. She could tell me all about her day, her friends, her plans, just like a diary. As long as I didn't put the book down. If I put the book down and made eye contact, then she knew I was listening and she'd hole up in her room. It was a bit frustrating!
@annjilena (5618)
• United States
29 Jan 09
my 19 month old grandson when iam with him i read to him and he turn the pages like he is reading.he is very smart to be so young i think he could be a genius are something.not trying to bragg but he is very knowlegable beening so young.
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Why not brag? That's the point of having kids!! It won't be very long before it's complaining, since their job is to test our sanity. Enjoy the bragging period!
1 person likes this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
29 Jan 09
My child is very little now, so he always has many questions to ask me. And the questions are quite simple issues. I have to say sometimes I really feel bored and impatient to it. As when I answer my child's question, then he will has another one and keeps asking you why and why:)
I love China
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
My nephew was like that. I felt for his parents. He did that until he was 16 years old. He's a brilliant boy, married now. But he used to drive me wild when he stayed over. He could go on all night!
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
The more questions they ask, the smarter they are. No matter how frustrating to us, it's something to keep in mind. (No matter how hard that is!)
@jeneschg (10)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 09
I use to face this type of situation. My sons like to ask me a lot of "Y" while I was doing something, such s reading, watch movie, driving and etc. Non-stop "Y?". I always try my best to answer, most of the time I will say "hmmm...." until my sons talk near to my ears "Mom, can you listen to me, don't always hmmm....". Now, I will ask them back "y?" and train them to ask question before think twice and the situation nowadays is better.... Eventhough they still ask "Y?" but they will think before they ask.....
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
30 Jan 09
But you're taking so much of the fun out of it!! It's the kid's job to drive us nuts. (I think they take special classes in the womb)
Mine is grown, but I wish I'd thought of that while she was driving me batty. It would have been a delightful turn about! Good for you!
@Sridhar40 (112)
• India
29 Jan 09
Yes, i will respond to my kid saying, eventhough it is so important for me. Since children will be happy on that moment.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18982)
• Indonesia
29 Jan 09
Yes, many times my kids ask me questions while I am reading. This is very disturbing because I have to stop reading. Because I don't want to be disturbed I always tell them to wait till I finish reading.
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
It's more fun to bother you while you're reading. That's a kid's job.
@emopwincess (194)
• Mauritius
29 Jan 09
Yes this has happened lots of time. When you are engrossed in the book its difficult to divert your attention but at times you have to stop reading and listen to the kid too
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Too true. But her plan was to get a yes to something I would ordinarily say no to. Cause if I was to put the book down, she'd narrow her eyes at me and move on.
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
28 Jan 09
Crafty little things arn't they.It is when I get a phone call and my fifteen year old son will stop what he is doing and even know he will talk to me,and expect an answer,with the person on the other end wondering whats going on,As soon as the phone is finished he will go upstairs and be as quiet as a mouse.
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Oh yeah. It's a gift they have. What will annoy mommy the most? That's what I'll do!! Brats!
1 person likes this
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Yes this has happened to me while reading a good book. I have learned to put the book down while the kiddos are asking for something lol.
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Jan 09
What did they get out of you? I always regretted not paying attention.
1 person likes this
