This morning, as my husband, Henry, was talking on the phone, our youngest child Madison kept interrupting him with urgent questions like, "Daddy, where's the small screwdriver?" "Dad, Daddy—do you have any batteries?" "Dad, Daddy, Daaaddy, why won't my microscope work?" I watched with amazement as Henry tried simultaneously to hush Madison and finish his call.

Kids interrupt for many not so good reasons. A child may interrupt because he likes being the center of attention or because of bad manners or impulsiveness. Youngsters interrupt because they are wired to believe the world centers around them. However, by seven years old, it's reasonable to expect your child to find a polite way to ask for your attention.