Kids and Phone Calls from Friends

Having their own phone, no. Talking to their friends on the house phone - no problem.

4 moms found this helpful

At whatever age someone calls her. I don't see an issue with a child talking on the phone. Of course, for moms who get flustered by a child knocking on their door to play when no play date has been scheduled, I can see that a random phone call would throw you completely off.

Back off; let kids be people. We really don't need to schedule every minute of their lives.

3 moms found this helpful

Why not? I was unaware there was an age limit to talking to friends on the phone.

I could see if it was for hours on end, then I might limit how long, but not a little conversation. What a good time to teach them phone etiquette.

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why not? I don't see it as a problem. If they want to talk for a little bit-- I think its great for conversation and getting their social skills a little bit more refined.

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It's a little young but why not? As long as they know how to use the phone properly and politely, and don't stay on for hours at a time, I wouldn't have a problem with it.
Just make sure you set ground rules about how LATE friends may call, we had some issues with that over the years.

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Never really thought about it. We never had it come up really. A neighbor child occasionally called and asked if my daughter could come over to play, and I had no problems with that. She never called just to TALK, but to issue an invitation (with her mom helping her, lol).

Other than that, I dont think either of my kids used the phone except for talking to grandparents and aunts/uncles that live out of town. Not because they weren't "allowed" but it just never came up.

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My girls were taught to make phone calls at an early age and when they were in VPK (Pre-K) they would make phone calls to friends (as I sat there when the y would start the call to remind them of what to say - "Hi this is ______. May I speak to _____?" Then I would let them handle the calls

I see no problem with it

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Sure, why not? Not all are ready for the phone but for those who are, a few minutes of chatter after school never hurt anyone. My youngest is in first grade and he calls his friends for playdates. It cracks everyone up when he leaves a message - you hear this sweet little voice going through the whole routine of introducing himself, who he's calling for, why he's calling, and how to reach him. Sometimes when he calls someone to get together, they'll stay on the phone chatting for a bit. The half of the conversation that I can hear is unfailingly hilarious.

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My granddaughter got phone calls from her dad and from a couple of friends when she was 4 so I don't know why a 6 to 7 year old child should not be able to get phone calls.

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I don't see a problem with it. My 11 year old son has talked to his friends for years.

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I don't have a problem with that, it seems like a good opportunity to learn and practice phone etiquette. We're a bit busy after school, so I wouldn't let it go on forever, but I don't have problems with a polite conversation with a friend after school.

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I am not sure why you are against it? Are you afraid they will spend too much time on the phone? Set limits if it becomes necessary, but to me it sounds wonderful that your child is becoming social. Lots of parents worry their children don't have friends.

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I don't see a problem with it. As long as it's a nice conversation (not gossipy) and not keeping her from doing her homework or getting some physical activity in, let her do it.

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My 5-year-old daughter just got her first phone call from a friend the other day. She's in Kindergarten. I didn't see any problem with it, and she wasn't even on the phone very long.

1 mom found this helpful

I don't see a problem with it. We send out kids to school for the "socialization" and then they want to see/talk to their friends during the week. I don't see the harm in letting them have friends at school and then being able to speak with them when at home.

1 mom found this helpful

My boys started making an receiving phone calls in kindergarten. They don't sit and talk for hours or anything. Usually they are just asking for a playdate.

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It's a rare first grader who is able to make phone calls, in my experience. My daughter wasn't ready for the phone until 4th grade or so and my granddaughter started with phone calls around age 10.

If your child can make the call and handle a conversation, then I say it's OK. If it's another child calling yours and your son isn't able to handle the call on his own, with brief coaching then I say it's too early.