What age do you think is appropriate for a child

to answer the home phone?

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a child

We were not allowed to answer the home phone for a long time... I'm thinking like age 9? However, with caller ID now, my son, who's now 9, answers the phone when DHs cell # comes up, or my parents phone number, or my ILs. He's been doing this for about 2 years. If he doesn't know the number, he doesn't pick it up.

It also depends how mature the child is. DS is TERRIBLE on the phone, but my 4 yo DD is fantastic. I would be more likely to let her answer than DS!!!!

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a child

I agree. With caller ID, I'll let 6yo DS answer the phone if it's a family member. If it's a number that neither DW or I know, we let the answering machine get it. The phone is never an urgent thing in our house, so DC are used to us never even flinching when the phone rings, so they aren't excited about it either. Plus, the phone actually "tells" us who is calling, so we don't have to move at all unless we want to answer the phone...

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a child

My kids are 6 and 4 and not allowed to answer the phone because they don't often know what to say, etc... However, our phone system has talking Caller ID, so there have been times when I can hear/see the caller ID and it's DH calling, so I will let my son pick up the phone. Other than that, not until they are maybe 10?

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a child

DD#1(she will be 3 in June) is allowed to answer the phone IF it is my parents or my grandmother. I have caller ID and will hand her the phone if it is one of those two people calling. Otherwise she has been taught to not answer the phone and to just bring it to me if it rings.