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Wash Cloth for Phone Space Around Toddlers

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.

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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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By (Guest Post)
November 18, 20080 found this helpful
Top Comment

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.

 
August 30, 20091 found this helpful
Top Comment

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.

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The child would learn very quickly to not interrupt you on the phone. They aren't stupid and they hate having their faces washed.
When I was around age 8 and up I would intentionally wait for my Mom to get on the phone so I could ask her to do something she wouldn't really have approved had I had her full attention.

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

 
August 30, 20090 found this helpful
Top Comment

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!

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So, in my situation, I ask her to bring me something or I ask if she will clean something for me. It is an alternative that keeps her quiet and I can keep my eyes on her with no problems!

 
August 30, 20090 found this helpful
Top Comment

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.

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If someone calls while toddler is up, please tell them you will call them back. You would be heartbroken if something happened to your precious toddler while you were spending time on the phone. Toddlers are so funny and cute. Enjoy them because they grow so fast.

 
By BigMomma (Guest Post)
November 18, 20080 found this helpful

HA HA HA that is awesome, I am totally gonna use that!

 
By Katy (Guest Post)
November 18, 20080 found this helpful

I LOVE this... watch out babymugs!

 
By Max (Guest Post)
November 18, 20080 found this helpful

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.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 399 Feedbacks
November 19, 20080 found this helpful

I love it! Thanks.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 124 Posts
November 19, 20080 found this helpful

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.

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Genuis idea. Necessity is the mother of Invention indeed!

Monique :)

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 135 Feedbacks
November 19, 20080 found this helpful

Is NSW New South Wales?

 

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November 20, 20080 found this helpful

Yes, NSW is New South Wales (I have a pen pal who lives there).

 
November 22, 20080 found this helpful

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.

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Phone calls should be made during naptime or when they are sleeping for the night. I would never do this to a poor child who needed my attention.

 
Anonymous
November 22, 20080 found this helpful

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.

 
August 30, 20090 found this helpful

This is great.

 

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August 30, 20090 found this helpful

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. ;.).

 
August 30, 20090 found this helpful

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.

 
 
Anonymous
August 30, 20090 found this helpful

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.

 
August 31, 20090 found this helpful

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!

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 111 Feedbacks
September 6, 20090 found this helpful

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?

 
September 16, 20090 found this helpful

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.

 
March 14, 20220 found this helpful

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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