Mom’s full attention

I think you are headed n the right direction. I am still working on his with an 11, 14, and 16 year old. Only now its putting down the phone to give them my attention. Just last night I was reading, a very interesting chapter, and my youngest wanted help with his cardboard project.  I DID NOT want to stop mid chapter. I had to remind myself there would be plenty of uninterrupted reading time in a few short years. I never want to regret the way I spent my time when my kids were little,

I think tending to a potential emergency will not be viewed as breaking your promise, even by a little person. They get it, even very young. They can see that you are completely focused on them, you ignore the phone, bickering, the door, etc to hear them. They know the difference. Just politely ask them to hold their thought while you tend to the emergency. Then maybe narrate back the conversation up to the point you left and ask them to continue. Something like “just a moment Billy, someone might be in trouble. Then when you return “ok so you were in the back yard digging and you found a worm, then what?”

I know it is difficult with very small people, but I think you are setting up a very good habit and it will serve your family well. It may not look ideal right now. But you will see the fruit in time.

Keep up the good work mama!