The Boundary Script

Five steps for setting any boundary:

1. Name the behavior — "When you check your phone while I'm talking..."
2. State the impact — "I feel unimportant and disconnected."
3. Make the request — "I need you to put your phone away during our conversations."
4. State the consequence — "If it continues, I'll pause until I have your attention."
5. Follow through — the hardest step, and the only one that matters.

You owe no justification. When they push, repeat without escalating: "As I said, I need..." is powerful without being aggressive.