What Age Is Appropriate to Take Telephone Calls?

February 5, 2008

Last night on Jon and Kate Plus 8, Cara and Madelyn got a call from a classmate. Kate who already has a lot on her plate, said the last thing she needs is the phone ringing when she's trying to get the girls to do their homework, fed, and in bed. And, she disagrees with first graders engaging in what she considers a teenage activity.

Do you allow your child to dial other kids' digits?

26 Comments

asco00 5 years 13 weeks

My 9 year old and 7 year old both get phone calls. Now they aren't sitting on the phones for hours at a time. It's usually a quick call to arrange play. It's the middle of winter here, Sunday is was negative 26 degrees. I much rather have my son call his friend to see if he can play then walk a block and half in cold weather only to be turned away.

CaterpillarGirl 5 years 14 weeks

I GUARANTEE you that whoever this kid is, thier parent wants them to call jon and kates house because they want thier children to be on TV too. Guarantee it. That said i agree with Kate 100% No calls untill maybe 4th or 5th grade and never out of earshot.

CaterpillarGirl 5 years 14 weeks

tkoblondee 5 years 14 weeks

Lol, Liss sorry, I truly wasn't responding to you! It's just that a friend/co-worker and I had this same conversation, and I had that in mind when I answered. She really has a very closed mind about this. I guess I just used part of your response in my rambling....sorry :)

Liss 5 years 14 weeks

WOW tko didn't mean to offend you! Maybe i should clarify that i think that he has a $500 iphone at the age of 13 is ridiculous! I don't care if he has one but a cheap one will will do fine. And when i said times are different i meant that people are saying that they didn't talk on the phone when they were younger.

Taadie 5 years 14 weeks

I can understand a kid in elementary school taking the occasional call for homework but i wouldnt want to make it a habit for my kid to be on the phone constantly at such a young age. They will see each other at school the next day and if they want to hang out come tot he house. Save the phone drama for at least middle school.

Neural 5 years 14 weeks

I said "any age" because we all already encourage my daughter to listen on the phone even though she doesn't talk back yet. But if it gets to be a problem and is taking attention away from other important things, I have no problem limiting it or taking it away. But we're a ways away from that since she isn't even 2 yet!!!

tkoblondee 5 years 14 weeks

Times ARE different! I'm sure our mother's could say the same thing about this website........."I would never spend an hour (or two or three) on my computer every day!" Oh wait, hardly anyone had their own computers!! Next everyone is going to start in on how when they were young, THEY had to walk 8 miles in the snow!!!

tkoblondee 5 years 14 weeks

It's just a form of communication...what's the big deal? When someone sees a young child with a cell phone and gets all upset about it, it drives me crazy.... what if your child was kidnapped.. isn't that something you would want them to have, a cell phone?

Liss 5 years 14 weeks

I thought when i watched it that it seemed a little weird but i understand why she does it.I never talked on the phone when i was that young all my friends lived in the neighborhood and we went to each others houses.Times are different now, my young nieces talk on the phone now sometimes to their cousins and sometimes to friends. My 13 year old nephew has a iphone and has had a cell phone for a couple of years, it is ridiculous!

Liss 5 years 14 weeks

I thought when i watched it that it seemed a little weird but i understand why she does it. I never talked on the phone when i was that young all my friends lived in the neighborhood and we went to each others houses. Times are different now, my young nieces talk on the phone now sometimes to their cousins and sometimes to friends. My 13 year old nephew has a iphone and has had a cell phone for a couple of years, it is ridiculous!

uptown_girl 5 years 14 weeks

I can remember occasionally talking on the phone to my friends. One friend and I even wrote letter to each other and mailed them! My mom knew about all of this, she was the one who put the stamps on the letters!I think I just remember feeling *special* that I had a friend that I could talk to. We talked about silly stuff like what we ate for dinner or something we were looking forward to, like a birthday party or christmas or something. I lived in a rural area, and didn't have friends' houses I could go over to or anything like that, so once I was home from school it felt very isolated.I think parents should allow it, but limit the time. Like in 1st grade, you can talk no more than 10 minutes, etc. If anything, it seems to me like it would help their verbal skills.

uptown_girl 5 years 14 weeks

I can remember occasionally talking on the phone to my friends. One friend and I even wrote letter to each other and mailed them! My mom knew about all of this, she was the one who put the stamps on the letters! I think I just remember feeling *special* that I had a friend that I could talk to. We talked about silly stuff like what we ate for dinner or something we were looking forward to, like a birthday party or christmas or something. I lived in a rural area, and didn't have friends' houses I could go over to or anything like that, so once I was home from school it felt very isolated. I think parents should allow it, but limit the time. Like in 1st grade, you can talk no more than 10 minutes, etc. If anything, it seems to me like it would help their verbal skills.

Masqueraded_Angel 5 years 14 weeks

I didn't start talking on the phone until around the beginning of high school. Even then, I was not allowed to answer the phone if my Mom wasn't home. I was only allowed to pick up if she called...ring twice, hang up...call again, pick up. Seemed silly and overprotective at the time, but I can understand where she was coming from now.

abqmama 5 years 14 weeks

I never got phone calls growing up. Like someone else said, it was just easier to go over to my friends houses. It never even occured to me to call someone on the phone. My kids don't receive phone calls (except from grandma and grandpa) and I think I will really freak out when they start because to me it means they are growing up and ready to do older kid things.

JessNess 5 years 14 weeks

Growing up I wasn't allowed calls after 8pm...it was just a common courtesy rule. Plus I really hated and still hate talking on the phone.Seriously though what do 6 year olds have to talk about. Kate was right the last thing she needs is a girl on the phone when she has other more important things to do

JessNess 5 years 14 weeks

Growing up I wasn't allowed calls after 8pm...it was just a common courtesy rule. Plus I really hated and still hate talking on the phone. Seriously though what do 6 year olds have to talk about. Kate was right the last thing she needs is a girl on the phone when she has other more important things to do

rgrl 5 years 14 weeks

Middle school? I think. I taught third grade and the girls in my class were calling each other every night to "gossip". I didn't really like the behavior and overall it did not encourage positive behavior, mostly cattiness. I think it also depends on the child and maturity level and purpose of the conversation.

lms 5 years 14 weeks

My daughter has one girlfriend that calls her. They go on Webkinz on the computer for hours. It is really annoying. She doesn't talk to anyone else though. This doesn't happen that often either.

Novaraen 5 years 14 weeks

I didnt use the phone until i was in Middle School and even then it was sparse. I think it was mainly because my friends all lived on my street with me and i could just run over to their houses to talk to them. I agree with Kate somewhat...but it almost seems like its more of a burden to her, than her just thinking her daughters are too young. Maybe she should just have a set time her daughters can use the phone? (although i've seen the show and im sure her schedule is pretty full already!!...whew!)I watch Jon & Kate plus 8 when im feeling overwhelmed by my own twin boys and watching their chaos makes me feel like i have less to worry about. :D My life seems easier then. They are doing so well though...its great to see!!

Novaraen 5 years 14 weeks

I didnt use the phone until i was in Middle School and even then it was sparse. I think it was mainly because my friends all lived on my street with me and i could just run over to their houses to talk to them. I agree with Kate somewhat...but it almost seems like its more of a burden to her, than her just thinking her daughters are too young. Maybe she should just have a set time her daughters can use the phone? (although i've seen the show and im sure her schedule is pretty full already!!...whew!) I watch Jon & Kate plus 8 when im feeling overwhelmed by my own twin boys and watching their chaos makes me feel like i have less to worry about. :D My life seems easier then. They are doing so well though...its great to see!!

Renees3 5 years 14 weeks

I remember being in 4th grade talking on the phone. We would talk about school, homework, comic books etc. I happen to live far away from any other kids (i.e. no one to play with) so for me talking on the phone was my way of interaction after school.

tracystenning 5 years 14 weeks

WOW!!! I really am surprised by the reactions i thought she was strange to respond like that it is so sweet when my 4 year old had here friend call she was so excited!!!!!My 12 year old on the other hand gets annoying when all the phone calls are for him!!But maybe i am jealous i don't have sooo many friends!!!LOL i am surprised more parents find it annoying or not appropriate!!!!

RobinFabulous 5 years 14 weeks

I'm big on this..... I hate it.... My child's PRESCHOOL class was calling each other. Ugh.... What do 3 year olds have to talk about? My 3rd grader takes an occasional call, but I really think she's too young. Plus they have time at school to talk. And it really grates my nerves when people let small kids answer the phone.... Why?!

JennyJen 5 years 14 weeks

I personally respect Kate's stand on this, because understanding her situation - it would be impossible with so many kids to deal with phone calls on top of everything else. However - for myself - I don't think there is anything wrong with kids in school talking on the phone. I mean what are they talking about Hannah Montana, the cartoon they saw or even something funny that happened in school - seems harmless enough for me.

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