how old for child to answer the phone?

[brimfull]

I phoned home today and ds(just 4) answered.Ds had let him do this,he didn't know it was going to be me. I thought it was a woman and then couldn't get much sense out of him,can't at the best of times as he talks a load of old shite.
Anyway I said to dh that he shouldn't have allowed ds to answer the phone , as he's way too young and nonsensical.
How old was your child when they started to answer the phone and what did you teach them to say?

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

DS1 is almost 6 and we're just starting to let him answer when we've got our hands full.

[cupcakes]

ds does it occasionally - he's 6. But he only does it when
a) I tell him to
b) I know who it is likely to be

[niceglasses]

My daughter is 2 and has just answered the phone. I haven't taught her to say anything in particular. My 3 yr old and 5 yr old do it all the time. I don't get it. Is there an issue??

[lemonaid]

Am tempted to let 19-month-old DS answer the phone when it's a cold caller or my credit card company trying to get me to borrow money...

[southeastastra]

my ds(5) answers the phone and just says 'hello' he's quite good at it, we used to be taught to recite our phone number

[brimfull]

Niceglasses,I just find it irritating when a child answers that can't follow instructions to go and get mummy or daddy,or have a decent conversation.

[Piffle]

my dd is 3 and can do it and give it to the right person

[Blu]

DS has been answeing the phone coherently since he was 3. He takes quite good messages.

[tortoiseshell]

Ds1 (5) does it if I'm feeding the baby or something, I've taught him to say 'Hello, abc xyz speaking', and then give the phone to the right person.

[TooTicky]

My ds2 answers beautifully with, "Anti-Pesto Swat Team at your service," or "Hello, Krusty Krab". Unfortunately he has a language disorder so people don't understand his wit

[brimfull]

yes ds can understand and give the phone to the right person ,but should a child who still nods on the phone be allowed to answer it?

[Blu]

Yes, ggg, it is irritating when the child wanders about with the phone, doesn't respond to 'is your MUMMYY in...' for hours on end. Unless they can be trusted to answer clearly, and give the phone to the right person promptly, I don't think they should be allowed to answer, whatever their age.

[southeastastra]

it is funny sometimes though when a really little child answers and then wanders off so you can hear the conversations in the background. or is that just because i'm extra nosey! oh unless it's a v important call

[niceglasses]

Ahh right. I quite like it cos it means they stop bothering me for a few minutes and talk bollocks to someone else....usually their dad or my Mam.

[ggglimpopo]

Message withdrawn

[Piffle]

My mum tells that I once answered the phone while she was in the bath, I think I was 3 or 4
When she asked who it was I said "Fanny plumbing"

it was actually family planning

[brimfull]

lol niceglasses!

[Piffle]

she used to tell everyone I was the only ever Fruedian 4 yr old

[niceglasses]

[southeastastra]

haha piffle!

[colditz]

I don't let ds1 answer the phone. Just like Californifrau's 3 year old, my 3 year old is also a chimp.

He still holds the phone up to his playschool pictures to show nanny. I cannot imagine him following instructions to "get mummy" from someone who isn't physically there.

[kid]

DD 7 and DS 4 both answer my phone. I do laugh when its someone they don't know as they don't have a clue what to say. No-one important ever phones me so its not a problem.