Youngest child's reaction to FaceTime with dad.

[Simonfromharlow]

I've been separated from my ex almost a year now. Right from the start he's had regular overnights with both children and FaceTimes them twice a week. Just lately the youngest (3) doesn't want to do the face time and starts doing silly things like putting things over the screen and jumping on his older brother while he is talking to my ex. I've tried asking him why he does this but he's not really giving anything away. He's always really happy to see ex when he comes to pick up them up so I'm pretty sure nothing has happened.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Im sure how to deal with it really.

[millymollymoomoo]

No experience really but that seems very young fir regular expected FaceTime especially out for anything more than a quick say hello
Expectations are too high I think

[ArnoldBee]

My 7 year old hates facetime/phonecalls with his dad and we live together. He works away and my son just wants to get on with playing.

[Simonfromharlow]

My other son is 8 and is happy to do the FaceTime. 3 year old seems to go into this Manic state when the iPad starts ringing. It's bizarre. I did mention to ex that maybe he should just be glad that th eldest is happy to do it and not have too high expectations of the youngest! Of course he wasn't happy with this as accused me of projecting 🙄

[millymollymoomoo]

3 year olds have very low attention spans. He shouldn’t take it personally !

[Twelveroses]

I think you should keep encouraging your son to engage, even if it is just a quick hello. Regular indirect contact like this can be very helpful in maintaining a child's relationship with the NRP.

[goldie04]

My DH is away regularly for long periods of time and our DS5 never speaks to him much on FaceTime. But when DH is home he's just normal around him. It's a lot to expect from a 3 year old, a quick hello is fine.

[Mutedgrey]

I think it’s quite normal. I suspect he doesn’t enjoy it and gets wound up as soon as he hears ir coming.
My nephew who is 4 FaceTimes his dad. It consists of the phone being placed on a table and his dad watches him play and tries to interact with him about whatever game he is playing etc. Expecting a 3 year old to sit properly, engage in a two way conversation is a high expectation.

[Simonfromharlow]

Thank you all! I feel reassured that I'm doing all I can and his dad will just have to accept it!

[Yester]

Tbh I hate facetime so can relate! It's hard to engage and boring.