Does any one else find it extremely anoying when people let their children answer the telephone when they are?

Question

not old enough to carry on a conversation or take a message? Why do people assume that the person calling won't mind if they put their pre-verbal child on the telephone. My sister does this all of the time and it makes me nuts!!! I did not call YOU to listen to your pre-verbal son gurgle into the telephone!

Answer 1

TOTALLY agree; I HATE that. I hang up in fact and when they have them on the answering machines; I hang up as well, I have no time to sit and listen to that baby talk, I do not find it enchanting or cute, just obnoxious. You want to train you kid to answer the phone? Do it on a toy phone, don't subject me to listening or dealing with your kid.

Answer 2

That is so annoying.  Next, she'll have the kid making appetizers and shaking martinis.  Why would anyone do that?!

Answer 3

And how, do you think, the child is to learn proper phone etiquette?  It's not something that just drops out of the blue.  Kids need practice.  That's how they learn.  Don't sweat this one.  When your young nephew answers the phone say hello to him and then ask to talk with his mommy.

Answer 4

Well its her option,if you have a problem with it don't call her, wait til she calls you. Considering its your sister, why don't you let her know how it irritates you and maybe shell stop.

Answer 5

yes i agree but maybe the parent was in the shower or something and the kid answered the phone. yay for the pre verbal kid to know how to answer a phone.  

Answer 6

yes I do with the only exception being my nephew. they see its me on the caller ID and they get him to answer it.

Answer 7

I'm totally fine with it,  kids just love to answer the phone.  I used to let my son answer it, but he knew he couldn't until I was there with him, he only got to make one or two sounds for about five seconds then I'd take the phone.  He had fun, and if the caller can't deal with that, then email me.....lol

Answer 8

I'd go further than THAT; -Like WHY do People USE their Children to DO so much of their OWN "dirty work"- in the FIRST Place ?!! :0

Answer 9

Yes...some people think they are the only one in the world who ever had a kid.

My sister does that and it's pretty annoying.  I just say CALL MOMMY.  You may be rushed and not be in the mood for baby talk whilst at the office or something.

I've been cut off and hung up on before too so I get where you are coming from.

I suppose it's different if you have caller display and know it's a loved one who DOESNT mind....I suppose you wouldn't know if they did however!! ;~)

And ease up people...she said the kid can't even SPEAK yet.

Mine learned to be pretty efficient at taking messages at a very young age and had pretty good phone manners.  I didn't let them use the phone until they did.

These must be the same people that think it's okay for their kids to scream and draw attention to themselves in restaurants etc. too.

Answer 10

Yes, I do! I don't like it because I have important calls that come in and I want someone to answer that can speak intelligently and courteously. I especially don't like it when teenagers answer with that teenage swagger, the person who is calling should always be considered.

Answer 11

I agree, utterly.

I don't mind when the kid is old enough to either take a message (properly!!) or pass me on to the appropriate person...but if it's kids and toddlers that can't speak or can only make noises, I can't stand it!

Personally, I think it's rather rude...because the person answering is making assumptions that you have the time and while it might be a novelty for their kids...sometimes I just think such novelties are a bit unfair on other people.

I have one example that really drives me up the wall - I'm a Fire & Rescue service volunteer...occasionally, we get a call for a job where we mightn't have enough crew show up - or we want extras...so quite often, as I'm a team leader, it's my job to get on the phone and try to contact people individually (if paging doesn't get them to show).

As it's usually a last effort, in response to a genuine emergency (such as a major search or wildfire for example), I need to be FAST. Yet some of the houses I ring, I end up with one of the parents (even worse, sometimes the person I'm trying to call) putting their kid up to the phone to gurgle away...which is cute and all, but I have to be very tactful to try to get a point across that its vital I talk to their parent, fast. It's ok if the parent is in earshot, recognises my voice and can take over quick, but sometimes they love letting the kid sit there mumbling away by themselves...and obviously, every minute wasted on the phone is critical.

I've politely as I could suggested to them that if they have a caller ID (most people do now) they answer Fire Station calls themselves - yet some people take offense (particular the non-firey partner) and think I'm being rude about their kids.

*Bangs head on wall*

I think there's a time and place and the phone isn't it!  

Answer 12

I agree. Using the phone is a privilege and should not be used as a toy for  young children to handle. What if the caller was a perverted prankster?

Even if the person on the other end is a close family member, it's nothing less than rude to force that person to beg to talk to mommy.  

Answer 13

yes, i hate that. seriously i know how you feel.

Answer 14

How is the kid ever going to learn if they dont try themselves? And it would only be decent of you to play along and give him the proper experience and the practice he needs in words and how to form sentances. Dont be so rude, do you know how sneakly toddlers can be? You turn around and its gone, maybe he just got ahold of the telephone before she did.

Answer 15

Right on!

How about when people have their little curtain climbers record the message on their answering machines.YUK

They think it's cute but I think it's RUDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!