To ask parent if their child wants to chat to my so on the phone/video (reception year)

[Yellowskies1988]

I know my son had a good relationship with a boy in his class. He talks about him alot. On a group chat for the parents his friends mum said that her son misses mine to. Am I unreasonable to message them on WhatsApp and ask if theur child would like to speak to mine, they are only 5 but they are close. We as parent speak at school (usually just a hello)
How would you react with such a request/suggestion?
How else are you managing reception class relationships

[bridgetreilly]

Yes, of course. I'd do it on a video call with me sitting next to him, but of course it's fine to ask.

[Thisismytimetoshine]

Of course not; go for it.

[TenShortStories]

Go for it, they can easily their child clams up on video calls or something if they're not keen.

[Rubyred24]

Shin things that's a good idea. If mine were in reception I wouldn't as I'm a nervous anxious person.

If she's like me she can always say yes and put it off but I'm sure she won't. I think they will be very excited.

[TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup]

I love when other parents message to organise a video chat for their child with mine. DD gets to see her friend, I get at least an hour to myself. She is 7 so I generally just let her do them by herself and she goes to her room to talk nonsense and show them her toys. Probably at 5 they might need a bit of help to keep the phone up but I think it would be nice for them.

[pigsDOfly]

Absolutely. My DGD, aged 5, has been having video calls with her best friends during lockdown.

I think it's a massive bonus that we have the technology for them to be able to keep in contact with their friends in this way during this time.

[ParkheadParadise]

Dd(4) is having lots of video calls with her cousin's. The longer the call the better🤣

[22Giraffes]

I would find this request really awkward as neither of my kids like being on video calls, even with friends and family. It can be hard to explain this without coming across rude or making up an excuse.

Of course loads of kids love video calls and the little boy may be delighted to chat with your son, I just wanted to offer a different perspective

[mumto2unicorns]

My 4 year old has had FaceTime calls with her friend. We usually have to cut them off after 45 mins or it would last all day.

[PlugUgly1980]

My 4 and 6 year old have been FaceTiming their friends. I hang around in the background and help initiate the conversation, but as the weeks go in they've got more confident. They like showing them favourite toys, craft stuff or other random bits and bobs. I think it's cute, and they can easily chat for half an hour.

[wonkylegs]

Go for it but don't necessarily expect it to last for long
Our 4yo DS & his best friend adore each other and have been sending each other pictures but video call lasted 5mins - showed each other their lego then got annoyed they couldn't chase each other round the garden

[WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty]

I would ask, my eldest has done a few chats with friends, we always stay with him, and the other parents do too.
We often get a few toys or things together to show and it helps ease them in, us parents also have a bit of a chat too, which is actually nice especially atm when other contact is limited.

[MadeForThis]

My dd talks to her best friend on whatsapp video calls most weeks. They are in preschool and 4.5.

They love it. Shout excitedly down the phone, dance and show each other their toys.

They are both quite chatty so there's not much silence. I'm also friends with the mum so we stay close by and chat too.

[Asuitablecat]

I've let mine do this. Bit older, but seems to keep them.happy.

[user1470132907]

Of course not! I’ve done it a couple of times. And it’s also an easy request to refuse with a simple explanation. First time another parent asked me I wasn’t massively keen but actually the kids (both 5) played Facebook Messenger games (not exactly great at conversation at this age) and my son chatted about his friend afterwards. It was lovely.

[SquishySquirmy]

I think you should suggest a video call.
We've been doing a lot of virtual playdates... It is the only way that DD (slightly older than yours) can socialise with other children!

It is worth having a "prop" of some kind (like a toy your son might want to show his friend) to get the conversation started and avoid them just saying "hello" over and over!

Also be prepared for them not to use video calls in the way adults would... My DD spent 1 hour yesterday on the phone to a friend, with the pair of them each getting on with their own thing (drawing) during the call, with intermittent conversation. Rude for adults to interact that way perhaps, but it was natural for them (and close to how they might behave if physically sat next to each other).

[Yellowskies1988]

Thanks guys we tried this earlier and my son was a little shy but came out of his shell a bit. Will definitely have a quick tidy round though next time. Will get some. Toys out so they can show each other etc too but it was fun