Telephone Troubles

Have you ever been on the phone trying to conduct a serious conversation and somebody in the background is making horrible noises? Or how about screaming?

I was once trying to discuss something important with my boss when Zoë hurt herself and she started SCREAMING at the top of her lungs. My boss was so frustrated and mad (although I think it was more about the subject) that he practically hung up on me.

Today was even worse. I was trying to talk to my dear sister-in-law about some serious topics. I love that we're able to talk about so many things, not just limited to babies, children, play-groups. Not that I don't enjoy discussing those things. I'm so glad that my husband has some very intelligent siblings, and that they've picked some incredibly smart ladies to marry! although I was looking for a smart man to marry, I definitely hit the jackpot in the in-law department!

Anyway, during this attempted conversation, my middle daughter would come over to me, crying, and want to be picked up. The "Me Too" third daughter would immediately make a bee-line for me (no matter what she was happily occupied with at the moment) and start crying to be picked up as well. My oldest daughter decided that she wanted to upload her pictures from her camera, but couldn't get things to work, so she was (thank goodness!) gently laying her hand on my arm with this break-your-heart expression on her face. All in the midst of a serious discussion! Of course, they escalated when I was trying to carry on the conversation instead of addressing their catastrophic needs.

First, I tried the placating. I tried to lift the two younger on my lap and hold them while juggling the phone. No success, that only prevented me from helping the oldest, and it made the younger two start a pushing fight to get more lap space (which we all know, me being so incredibly short, there is very little of to begin with).

I tried removing them from the situation- putting us all on the couch (after fixing the oldest's problem at the computer). That also made things worse as I then had the younger two CRAWLING all over me, still crying and fighting each other.

I resorted to the escape method- I locked myself in a room. Outside I heard the younger two crying, and then the older one started knocking because she needed help again. I had relative peace for about 2 minutes until the oldest lost her patience with being nice and knocking respectfully and she opened the door, which allowed the youngest into the sewing room (DISASTER!) and then I could hear the middle daughter screaming her head off because she'd been shunned.

My poor sister-in-law! I hope she was able to adjust the volume on her phone!!!

I finally extricated and excused myself from the conversation for a moment. I told Megan I would read her a story in a few minutes- but only if she stopped crying and got a book and sat quietly on the chair. I picked up Miranda. I helped Zoë fix her problem, and I took a deep breath. Whew!

Then I hurriedly finished my conversation while all was quiet for a moment. Of a note- the baby decided that since the middle wasn't vying for attention, she would be happy finding a book for herself.

Reflecting back on how I could've handled it better, I decided the next time I wanted to call my sister-in-law for a serious conversation, I'd better do it while the kids are either upstairs playing together and make it quick (I think they hear my voice and have to come investigate), call when the girls have "rest time" (i.e. sleeping), or I'd better turn on the TV.

Got any other suggestions for handling telephone temper tantrums???