[tacticalogic]

Reacting at all, whether positively or negatively, encourages a repeat performance. No reaction at all lets him know that he cannot manipulate you.

I understand. At the same time, I think you can understand why someone would rather not try to carry on an extended, serious conversation in a roomful of two year olds.

[Alamo-Girl]

Take that as an actual case-in-point. If you are in a room full of two year olds, trying to have a conversation with another adult - and the kids start acting up and you leave, the message will be, to them, that they can control the room by being disruptive. Ditto if you stop the conversation and scold them or send them outside.

But if you speak over their heads (language not volume) to the other adult letting him know that you are ignoring them so as not to reward the behavior and continue talking, the two year olds will realize acting up is not working and will return to playing with each other.