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I'm staying at my grandmother's house this summer, and she isn't really capable of caring for herself so she has a few hired caretakers. The caretakers can be pretty talkative and, although I usually like talking with people, it's been bothering me lately because of a summer class that I'm taking online. Sometimes they talk with me when I need to work on assignments and it's hard for me to get them to stop. This has caused me to turn in assignments late or not have time to finish them. This is hurting my grades and annoying me.

I have told them in a number of ways that I need to stop talking and work, but they don't seem to listen...what do you think I should do?

Have you tried following telling them nicely with putting earbuds in?

Also, people have learned to expect someone looking at a cell phone or other screen is busy, once you engage with the screen they may stop talking.

Thanks for the advice Waterfalls I haven't tried engaging with a screen after telling them, but it seems like a good idea.

The earbuds usually work except with older people.

If someone really wants attention and persists, I have found it works best to stop trying to escape and give them my full attention, they calm down, they let me go.

Of course it's usually me wanting more attention and people aren't always so thoughtful as you are being. And I try to be gentle as well, knowing what it feels like being brushed off.....

Sometimes when the caretakers talk with me, they seem to really want attention...I have tried giving them my attention for awhile but sometimes they talk for a very long time.

I feel guilty if I brush them off because I also know what it feels like to be brushed off, and I don't want to upset them.

Thanks SC_2010

I've said something like "I'm sorry, but I really have to go do homework. Want to talk some more in a few hours?" and it's been pretty effective. It seems like what you suggested would be better.

Maybe they don't get around people much. Maybe they like you? Are they men or women?

My grandma does this a lot. I sometimes stand for like half an hour or longer at the door with my shoes and jacket on. It's annoying but she's old so I can't be bothered.

I noticed under your avatar that you're pretty new. Welcome to wrongplanet Protector88

They've each talked about their friends and I don't think they're too lonely. They're all women and they might like me; they enjoy our conversations and seem to trust me a lot.

Thank you for the welcome!

I had a wound a few years back and every day a nurse would come to change the bandages. They all talked really much. They need to follow a schedule and they just logged in with a device when with me like they were at the next patient. One did it a couple of times. Insane! I liked it though. They were cute as well so that were some good times

One even talked to me about the trouble she was having with her family. Good thing to talk to strangers about don't you think... She even came back after the wound was healed.

Can't you just go to another room or something when doing homework?

It's surprising what some people will tell strangers...I've heard people I didn't know very well tell me about everything from minor family issues to serious concerns about their future. I just show sympathy and give advice if I can.

Sometimes I go to another room and it usually works, but I've been stopped before for another conversation. Going to another room seems a little harsh so I try to avoid doing that.