Hello! I'm on the phone: How to reduce interuptions by kid when you're on that important call

Inevitable right?  Kid is doing their own thing and the second -SECOND- your ear goes up to the phone the offspring is tugging at your leg:

"Mommy look at this picture I just drew"

"Mommy I'm hungry make me something to eat"

"Mommy I need to pee"

"Mommy I'm bored, play with me"

So what to do to reduce, eliminate, and deal with these interruptions?

TRY THIS (SCENARIO 1):  You are expecting an important call, prepare your kid beforehand that you are going to busy for (fill in the blank) minutes.  You can't have any interruptions because you need to focus on the caller but you would love to put together an amusement table with child so that s/he has stuff to do while you are on the phone.  Play dough, books, pens, matchbox cars are a few key items for the table.  About 5 minutes before the call remind the child about the call and how you expect him to play on his own while you are on the phone but you would love to play with him when you are done with your call.  FOLLOW THROUGH....stick to the time limit you provided......play with child when you are done with the call.....give them positive reinforcement.  "Thanks for playing so nicely on your own!  That was so helpful and grown-up"

TRY THIS (SCENARIO 2): Right after dinner you get a call from your best friend from high school.  This is the only time she can talk.  When your child comes up to you....put the phone down, get down to the child's level, smile, and say, "I am going to be on the phone for XXXX minutes. This is my one of my best friends and this is the only time she can talk. As soon as I am done with my call, we are going to sit down and play/read a book." FOLLOW THROUGH....stick to the time limit you provided......play with child when you are done with the call.....give them positive reinforcement. "Thanks for playing so nicely on your own!  That was so helpful and grown-up"

WHY? Children want to be the center of your attention.  When you get on the phone they see that they are no longer the focus.  By giving them a concrete amount of time that you will be busy and STICKING to it, they relax and realize that you will be focusing on them as soon as you are done.  But you have to follow through - otherwise they won't trust you and the interruptions will begin again.