Play Part 2 Positive Attention
What ways does your child try to get your attention? How do you usually respond?
Child Tries:
Picking on her sister, pretending not to hear me, doing the opposite of what was asked
Response:
angry and frustrated response typically
Child Tries:
Interrupting, whining, having arguments, annoying others, making noises
Response:
I'm either dismissive or get annoyed with him.
Child Tries:
Interrupting conversations, dancing or doing gymnastics in front of the tv, singing over my favourite song on radio/tv. Talking about times in the very distant past that she has felt there was an injustice
Response:
Ignore until I can ignore no more then, tell her off because I am irritated.
Child Tries
nagging, pestering, being 'in your face', being naughty
Response
by that stage it is irritating so tend to respond sharply and with annoyance
Child Tries
Whining. Irritating their siblings. Being a clown.
Response
It depends! If he's gaining my attention in positive ways I do tend to laugh. If his behaviour is less positive I tend to ask him to stop.
Child Tries
Makes a lot of noise and tugs on my shirt
Response
Saying 'stop that' and giving him the wrong sort of attention
Child Tries
Pulling at me spitting at me
Response
By telling him not to do that
Child Tries
Nags or whines. Fights with siblings
Response
Patient but then explodes. Depends on how I feel generally