To get space from my toddlers when I am on the phone, I sit with a wet facecloth and wipe their faces whenever they come near me. Now I can chat without them being right in my space.
By Mrs. Burgo from Newcastle, NSW
Editor's Note: I think this would work equally well if you are trying to use a computer or make a craft project.
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This tip is fabulous! I never thought of that when my kids are young. They're 18 and 15 now, but I think it might still work. When I'm on the phone these days, they are worse at interrupting me than when they were toddlers, but I'm going to try the wash cloth idea anyway. It may just be the repellant I need! I'll be armed and dangerous.
I think this is a fantastic idea. My kids always seemed to know when I was expecting an important call.
To the people charging neglect, Moms have a way of knowing if their child really has an emergency or not.
I'm in my late 40's and I have noticed that parents nowadays often allow their children to interrupt them when they are talking. We are teaching my granddaughter that if adults are speaking she must wait until a break in the conversation before she speaks (if it's not emergency). She's 6 and she knows the difference. It has to do with teaching children respect. Ok, I'll step down off my soapbox now LOL.
Sandy
My toddler is actually a touch OCD about cleaning, so it would not work on her. She has to help with the dishes, laundry, and cleans my living room for me. She's not even two and a half!
Oh, oh! As a child advocate, I need to say that if a toddler is up and about, the mother's attention should be directed to the toddler and not the telephone or anything else. It takes an instant for a toddler to get seriously hurt or worse if you take your eyes off of him. Sometimes it seems like there is no Mommy time, but please wait until the toddler is napping to make your calls.
HA HA HA that is awesome, I am totally gonna use that!
I LOVE this... watch out babymugs!
Pure Genius! I have a 4 year old that is on me the minute the phone rings. I think my method will have to involve a washcloth and a bowl of peas.
I love it! Thanks.
I think that is so funny, that really tickled me.
I don't have children myself so no use to me but I will pass on this tip to my friends who have.
Genuis idea. Necessity is the mother of Invention indeed!
Monique :)
Is NSW New South Wales?
Yes, NSW is New South Wales (I have a pen pal who lives there).
I have a real problem with this advice. What if the child really needs something? You just push them away with a wet cloth?--sounds like child abuse/neglect to me. If you have a toddler--your full attention needs to be on them.
I don't think it is neglect. The phone rings all day and not everyone knows what your childs sleep schedule is. Mine stopped naps at 2 1/2. This is brilliant. If the child does have really big problem then they will let you know. Other then that the parent should never leave a little one un-attened, must stay in the same room.
Moms do need a time and space break every now and then. I think this is a super idea, which I will pass on the my daughter and daughter in law. Every mom knows almost instinctively if their child is in real need. Mostly its all about them, when mom tries to do anything else. What gets me, is my daughter will pick up the baby if she's fussing and then the baby starts pushing all the buttons on the phone. Makes for an interesting conversation. ;.).
Well, I know I shouldn't but I just have to. What ever happened to just teaching a child respect? This teaches the child nothing except to stay away from Mom when she's on the phone cause if it does not, they'll get a washcloth in the face. It teaches the child nothing of respect. But, I will agree with the fact that if the child is awake, the mothers attention should be on the child, and she could wait until the child is sleeping to make her all important phone calls. Todays society knows nothing about parenting. They're to busy trying to be the child's best friend. Being a friend is fine, but be a parent first!
I'm a retired cop, and have raised 5 children who know exactly what respect is about.
Sometimes people get calls and need to talk on the phone. My father was very ill when my children were toddlers and there was no way I was going to call him back when they took a nap. Children are precious and we just need to make sure their environment is safe and they have something to entertain them for a moment so you can make a call.
I agree with getting a washcloth. I also think that a parent should have been installing rules with the child all along so the child knows right from wrong. If you have to watch your child every waking moment than your not a good parent.Your house should not be so unsafe anyway. Lock your cabinets, use safety gates, put harmful things out or reach. Teach your children!
Oooh, that's sneaky - I love it! And Shirleyamh is absolutely right: there comes a time when you have to let your child play by himself, and come to you for help, or to show off, or whatever and often, when that stage is reached, the kid will still come running at the ring of the phone or the sound of your voice.
As for instilling good manners, that's what this is doing, even if it's going about it a little oddly. If your child is typical, you're teaching him that he doesn't want to interrupt you on the phone...and isn't that better than scolding?
I personally think this is a great Idea, Wish I had thought of it when my kids were young. The only time they have to hang on you is while your trying to answer an important call. Did this parent say they were just chatting away with their friends. Sometimes we have important things to do while our children are awake. my kids and granson all stopped napping at or before 4. Its unrealistic that you can't answer the phone until they are in bed. Grow up people! I think this is much better than having to interrupt a conversation to scold the child for being a pest. and generally that's whats going on they just see your attention is elsewhere so they have to cling to you. If a child really needs you they will let you know, give this Mom some credit. If her kid is hurt she knows the difference.
Just got one of the old phones with the the turn thing for to make the calls it might be some headset it's in a really good shape it was my father-in-law's mother and his dad's store they had the phone and it in Alabama just trying to find out what it would be worth thank you very much Bill
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